Abstract
Platelets are essential for primary hemostasis, but they also play a key role in the development of acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, platelets also promote an inflammatory reaction connected with atherosclerosis.
The aim of this pilot study was to search for platelet proteome changes in a patient cohort with cardiovascular diseases, in comparison with a group of young healthy donors. 23 platelet samples (patients with acute coronary syndrome n=8, patients with stable angina pectoris n=7, and control group n=8) were used in this work. Platelets were isolated by centrifugation, and platelet proteins were separated using 2D SDS-PAGE.
Proteins were identified and further analyzed using nanoLC-MS/MS. In total, 33 spots were observed to differ significantly between the studied groups; they corresponded to 53 different proteins.
The proteome changes were found to be identical or closely related to the platelet proteome changes induced by platelet activation. Fragmentation of fermitin family homolog 3 was observed in cardiovascular disease patients.
The fragmentation was confirmed both by western blot and by mass spectrometry. The newly described fragmentation of fermitin family homolog 3 indicates a new point for future research and target therapy.