Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Hemorrhage Control and Prevention of Hemorrhagic Shock
Abstract
Hemorrhage, or massive blood loss, is among the most common causes of death in the combat military population. Early control of bleeding is necessary to prevent death and also to prevent the development of organ failure associated with severe blood loss. Blood transfusions are the mainstays of field therapy for injured patients with severe bleeding. Platelets are cells that assist in the formation of blood clots by clumping together at sites of injury and are necessary for normal blood clotting processes. Recent research reports have shown that transfusion of platelets in severely injured patients improves survival; however, there are several logistical barriers associated with transfusing platelets in combat situations. First and foremost is that platelets have a very short shelf life and therefore must be used within 5 days from collection. They are also require specific storage conditions and cannot tolerate high or low temperatures; thus, they are challenging to transport in field conditions. As a result, many injured Soldiers do not receive platelets to treat bleeding. One of the alternative strategies is transfusion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are secreted from the platelets. EVs are extremely tiny particles secreted by almost every cell in the body, including platelets. Several studies by others and our research group has shown that when used for therapeutic purposes, EVs mimic their parent cells and show similar healing properties. In a previous study, we were able to show that EVs isolated from platelets (PEVs) effectively controlled bleeding and maintained blood pressure in animal models of traumatic hemorrhage. In this project, we propose to develop PEVs as a therapeutic tool for hemorrhage control and prevention of multiple organ failure that is associated with severe blood loss. PEVs are very stable at different temperatures for extended periods of time ranging from days to years, hence they can be stored for a longer period of time and can be easily carried by medics in the field conditions. Considering the logistical superiority and therapeutic benefit of PEVs, we believe this proposal addresses the specific FY20 PRMRP Area of Encouragement for the Hemorrhage Control Topic Area: “research on novel or engineered blood products that offer physiological, logistical, or cost advantages over current products.”
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2110682
Entities
People
- Amit Srivastava
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston