Murdoch University PhD student Jiayin (Munik) Tian has been selected to publish her research in ‘Thrombosis and Haemostasis’ in the International Journal for Vascular Biology and Medicine.

Munik and colleagues investigated the mechanism behind the elevated risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) among women, as high levels of oestrogen have been linked with this condition.

Study participants included pregnant women and females on the contraceptive pill. Plasma samples from this group found to have an abnormally increased trend towards coagulation or a hypercoagulable state.

The main findings demonstrate an improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of the oestrogen-mediated VTE which may help develop novel biomarker(s) and therapeutics for the hormone-related VTE which at the present has no specific diagnosis and treatment. The research team looked at the microRNAs, which are small, non-coding RNA molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression (the process where DNA commands are converted into a functional product like a protein).

The result of this study found that one of the oestrogen responsive microRNAs (miR-365a-3p) can directly regulate tissue factor (TF). TF is the primary initiator or key clotting component to begin the blood clotting process. Understanding the association between miR-365a-3p and TF is important as TF has an essential role in the process of preventing and stopping bleeding and wound healing (also called haemostasis).

While under high oestrogen levels, tissue factor levels are increased, with an associated decrease of the expression of miR-365a-3p. This may trigger the body towards a clotting-prone state and increase the thrombotic risk.

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Tuesday, April 6 2021