New Anticoagulant Agent?
A blood clot, also known as a thrombus, is a clump of blood that forms when blood platelets and other proteins in the blood stick together. It is part of the healing process. However, when a clot happens inside the blood vessels, it can lead to dangerous situations, and they must be dissolved on their own.
Humans to reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack, or to treat or manage existing blood clots, uses anticoagulant agents. Anticoagulant agents work by interfering with the body’s natural clotting cascade, which is a complex series of chemical reactions that helps to form blood clots. According to a new study published in the field of science, a novel approach to anticoagulation has been identified [1].
Thromboprotection refers to measures taken to protect against the formation of blood clots, which can lead to serious medical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, or deep vein thrombosis. While hibernating, bears need to be protected from blood clots (thrombosis) caused by immobilization. Interestingly, according to a recent study [1], chronically immobilized humans do not have an increased risk of thrombosis. This is attributed to the decreased production of heat shock protein 47 (HSP45). The downregulation of HSP45 leads to the attenuation of immune cell activation and neutrophil extracellular trap formation, which contributes to thromboprotection in bears, patients with spinal cord injuries, and mice.
In order to be protected from thrombosis, humans can take anticoagulant medications such as heparin or warfarin, which prevent the formation of clots by interfering with the body’s natural clotting cascade. Anticoagulant medications such as heparin or warfarin can be taken by humans to protect against thrombosis by interfering with the body’s natural clotting cascade. In some cases, individuals need to take these medications regularly to prevent thrombosis. However, according to the new study, downregulation of HSP45 can provide a new approach for anticoagulation agents.
There is a way that immune system can regulate the pathogens called Neutrophil Extraction Trap (NET). Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are a mechanism by which the immune system can capture and regulate pathogens. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the immune system’s response to infection and inflammation, release their DNA to form a web that can entrap and catch the pathogens. However, excessive or inappropriate formation of NETs has been implicated in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, where it can lead to tissue damage and exacerbate the underlying disease. The production of HSP45 protein has been found to have an impact on the formation of NETs.
According to the Science [1], although the writers did not mentioned about the anticoagulant usage of the HSP45, there might be a way to use proteins and absence of them for blood clots.
References
1- M. Thienel et al., “Immobility-associated thromboprotection is conserved across mammalian species from bear to human,” Science (1979), vol. 380, no. 6641, pp. 178–187, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.1126/SCIENCE.ABO5044.
2- “What to Know About Blood Clots and COVID-19.” https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-to-know-about-blood-clots-and-covid-19/ (accessed Apr. 14, 2023).
