Indian Study Discovers That Dengue Alters CD154 and CD148 Expression in Human Platelets
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 28, 2024 1 month, 4 weeks, 2 days, 10 hours, 56 minutes ago
Medical-News: Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus, is one of the most prevalent viral diseases in tropical regions. Each year, millions are affected by the virus, and severe cases can result in hospitalizations and fatalities. In 2023 alone, over 5,000 dengue-related deaths were reported worldwide. Dengue not only challenges the immune system but also alters the functioning of vital cellular components, including platelets.
Indian Study Discovers That Dengue Alters CD154 and CD148 Expression in Human Platelets
Platelets play a crucial role in maintaining vascular integrity and controlling bleeding. However, during dengue infection, their behavior changes dramatically. Recent research by scientists at the Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA) and Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College and Hospital in Pune, India, has shed light on how dengue impacts platelet function. This
Medical News report delves into their findings and explains the implications of these changes.
Platelets and Their Role in Immunity
Platelets are small, disk-shaped cells essential for blood clotting. Beyond this, they regulate immune responses, inflammation, and vascular integrity. During infections, platelets interact with pathogens through receptors like Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and DC-SIGN. These interactions can activate platelets, causing them to release molecules that amplify immune responses.
In the context of dengue, platelets recognize the virus using DC-SIGN receptors. This recognition alters their behavior and their expression of adhesion molecules, which are critical for interacting with other cells and maintaining vascular health. The current study investigated the expression of three molecules - CD151, CD154, and CD148 - on platelets in dengue patients.
Study Details
The research was conducted on 90 individuals, comprising 71 dengue patients and 19 healthy controls. The dengue patients were categorized into three groups based on disease severity: mild cases, cases with warning signs, and severe dengue. The study analyzed blood samples using advanced flow cytometry techniques to examine the expression of platelet adhesion molecules.
Key Findings
-Changes in CD154 and CD148 Expression
The study found significant alterations in the expression of CD154 and CD148 in dengue patients. CD154 levels were markedly increased in dengue patients compared to healthy individuals. This molecule is known to promote inflammatory responses by interacting with immune cells and endothelial cells, the cells lining blood vessels. In contrast, the expression of CD148, a molecule crucial for platelet adhesion and spreading, was significantly reduced.
The findings suggest that increased CD154 levels may exacerbate inflammation during dengue infection, while reduced CD148 levels might impair platelet adhesion. This dual effect could contribute to the bleeding complications commonly observed in dengue patients.
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-Correlation With Disease Severity
While CD154 levels were elevated across all dengue patients, the trend of increased expression with disease severity was noted. On the other hand, the decrease in CD148 expression was consistent regardless of disease severity. These results highlight the distinct roles these molecules may play in the progression of dengue.
-Association With Platelet Count
Thrombocytopenia, or a low platelet count, is a hallmark of severe dengue. The study found that patients with platelet counts below 50,000/µL exhibited significantly lower levels of CD148 compared to those with higher platelet counts. Additionally, a strong positive correlation between CD148 and CD41/CD61 (a key platelet adhesion receptor) was observed. This correlation underscores the role of CD148 in platelet function and its potential link to the bleeding tendencies seen in dengue.
Implications of the Study
The altered expressions of CD154 and CD148 have significant implications for understanding dengue pathogenesis:
-CD154’s Role in Inflammation: Elevated CD154 levels may contribute to the cytokine storms and vascular inflammation observed in severe dengue cases. By promoting interactions between platelets and immune cells, CD154 could amplify immune responses, potentially leading to tissue damage.
-CD148 and Hemorrhagic Manifestations: Reduced CD148 expression may impair the ability of platelets to adhere and form clots, increasing the risk of bleeding complications. This finding aligns with observations of severe thrombocytopenia in dengue patients.
-Potential Therapeutic Targets: Targeting these molecules could offer new avenues for managing dengue complications. For instance, therapies aimed at modulating CD154 activity might reduce inflammation, while approaches to restore CD148 expression could enhance clotting and reduce bleeding risks.
Conclusions
This study provides valuable insights into the molecular changes occurring in platelets during dengue infection. By demonstrating increased CD154 expression and decreased CD148 levels, the research highlights how dengue alters platelet function and contributes to the disease’s clinical manifestations.
The findings underscore the importance of a balanced platelet response in controlling inflammation and maintaining vascular integrity. Therapies that modulate the activity of platelet molecules could help mitigate the complications of dengue. However, further research is needed to explore the mechanistic links between these molecules and dengue pathogenesis.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Virus Research.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168170224002120
For the latest Dengue News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/how-dengue-virus-impacts-macrophages-and-triggers-inflammatory-cell-death
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/early-cytokine-surge-in-secondary-dengue-infections-offers-clues-for-better-diagnosis
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/dengue-news
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