Characteristics of FXa-storing platelets in hemophilia B mice and the influence of alcohol on the platelets

Abstract

Platelet-stored activated blood coagulation factor X (FXa) has great potential in the gene therapy of hemophilia B (HB). However, we still need to understand more about the properties of FXa-storing platelets and how dietary factors affect them. We created transgenic mice called 2bFXa-HB, which had stable expression and storage of FXa in their platelets, resulting in the alleviation of the bleeding disorder in these mice. Even after inducing anti-factor IX (FIX) inhibitors in 2bFXa-HB mice, the hemorrhage phenotype could still be rescued by the expression of FXa. The activation capacity of 2bFXa-HB platelets remained unchanged, and there were no signs of elevated thrombotic risk in these mice. In an acute alcohol exposure mouse model, a single administration of alcohol reduced both the number of platelets and their activation capacity, as well as impaired coagulation function. However, it did not increase the markers of thrombotic risk in either 2bFXa-HB or HB mice. These results suggest that FXa storage in platelets is safe and effective for treatment of HB, but alcohol could impair the therapeutic effect of FXa-containing platelets.