The primary goal of this Mentored Research Scientist Development Proposal is to create an intensive research training environment in the field of metabolomics and thrombosis research that will lead to independent investigation in the near future. This project unites established mentors that have expertise in metabolic dysregulation and thrombosis with an emerging young investigator who has experience in the molecular phenotyping of platelets in health and disease. The application is supported by strong institutional commitment to the candidate, a robust training environment and mentoring plan, and preliminary data that supports each of the specific aims. Thus, the proposal is responsive to the mentored trainee initiative that strives to increase the network and capacity of metabolomics research. The central research hypothesis of the proposal is that obesity induces coordinate changes in the platelet metabolome and transcriptome through mechanisms that involve mitofusin-2 (Mfn-2). These changes lead to platelet hyperreactivity and, as a result, increased risk for thrombosis in the setting of obesity. This research hypothesis will be tested with 3 specific aims that are thematically related but do not rely on one another for completion.
Specific aim 1 will determine the role of mitofusin-2 on the platelet metabolome-transcriptome network and related functional activities. By specifically knocking down Mfn-2 in platelets, these studies will reveal the roles for Mfn-2 in controlling mitochondrial fusion/fission, metabolic stress, and the in vitro and in vivo function of platelets. They will also determine if Mfn- 2 alters the basal metabolome and transcriptome or the activated metabolome footprint of platelets.
Specific aim 2 will build on the first aim but nonetheless independently test the role of platelet Mfn-2 in a mouse model of obesity. It is hypothesized that Mfn-2 deficient platelets will be more susceptible (i.e., fail to compensate) to a high fat environment. As a result, Mfn-2 deficient platelet will display exaggerated metabolic stress and functional responses that are consistent with an inability to compensate at the metabolite and transcript level. The third specific aim will extend the functional and mechanistic data obtained in mice to humans. Specifically, the studies will determine if Mfn-2 expression (i.e., mRNA and protein) and related mitochondrial activities differs in platelets isolated from obese and normal weight human subjects.
Aim 3 will also determine if obesity induces coordinate changes in the platelet metabolome and transcriptome that predict platelet hyperreactivity. Studies in human subjects will result in new, clinically relevant information that may explain why platelets are prone to thrombose in obese individuals. Together, these preclinical and clinical studies will explore new paradigms in metabolism and thrombosis research in an environment that enhances research career development.
Humans that are obese are at increased risk for blood clots caused by cells called platelets. These studies will determine how metabolic factors change inside of platelets and, as a result, make platelets more prone to clot. The results from this work will provide new insights into the risks of obesity and treatment of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that are more common in obese individuals.
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