Genetic variant that alters platelets in half of the population

A study revealed that a genetic variant prevalent in over 50% of Europeans affects platelet function, leading to hyperactivation during pathological stress like pneumonia. Conducted by researchers from the University of Murcia and IMIB, the research published in "Molecular Therapy" demonstrated that the variant rs2431697 alters platelet response, reducing levels of miR-146a, a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties. This reduction reprograms platelet metabolism, increasing fatty acid oxidation and promoting thrombus formation. The study also tested a synthetic therapy mimicking miR-146a, which significantly decreased platelet aggregation in pulmonary thrombosis models, offering potential for new anti-aggregant treatments.