Randomized trial evaluates how circulating EVs affect endothelial cell integrity during vaso-occlusive crises in Sickle Cell Disease, indicating a role in disease complications.
Key Points
To determine if circulating small extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to intercellular damage in vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in sickle cell disease (SCD).
Isolated plasma samples from nine pediatric SCD subjects at baseline and during VOC episodes.
Added isolated EVs to cultures of microvascular endothelial cells.
Used immunofluorescence microscopy to assess monolayer integrity and localization of junction proteins.
EVs from VOC episodes caused greater disruption of endothelial cell monolayers compared to baseline EVs.
Disruption varied between VOC and ACS episodes in the same patient.
VOC EVs impaired the integrity of VE-cadherin and connexin43 at intercellular junctions.