title: Breaking the mold: transcription factors in the anucleate platelet and platelet-derived microparticles.
abstract: Platelets are small anucleate blood cells derived from megakaryocytes. In addition to their pivotal roles in hemostasis, platelets are the smallest, yet most abundant, immune cells and regulate inflammation, immunity, and disease progression. Although platelets lack DNA, and thus no functional transcriptional activities, they are nonetheless rich sources of RNAs, possess an intact spliceosome, and are thus capable of synthesizing proteins. Previously, it was thought that platelet RNAs and translational machinery were remnants from the megakaryocyte. We now know that the initial description of platelets as "cellular fragments" is an antiquated notion, as mounting evidence suggests otherwise. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that platelet transcription factors are not vestigial remnants from megakaryocytes, but have important, if only partly understood functions. Proteins play multiple cellular roles to minimize energy expenditure for maximum cellular function; thus, the same can be expected for transcription factors. In fact, numerous transcription factors have non-genomic roles, both in platelets and in nucleated cells. Our lab and others have discovered the presence and non-genomic roles of transcription factors in platelets, such as the nuclear factor kappa β (NFκB) family of proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). In addition to numerous roles in regulating platelet activation, functional transcription factors can be transferred to vascular and immune cells through platelet microparticles. This method of transcellular delivery of key immune molecules may be a vital mechanism by which platelet transcription factors regulate inflammation and immunity. At the very least, platelets are an ideal model cell to dissect out the non-genomic roles of transcription factors in nucleated cells. There is abundant evidence to suggest that transcription factors in platelets play key roles in regulating inflammatory and hemostatic functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Katie L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lannan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA ; Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sahler
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Sanjay B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Maggirwar
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lyon , Saint-Etienne , France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Garraud
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lyon , Saint-Etienne , France ; Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Loire , Saint-Etienne , France.
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cognasse
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blumberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA ; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA ; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Phipps
keywords: NF-kappa B; PPAR alpha; PPAR gamma; microparticles; non-genomic; platelets; steroid receptors; transcription factors