Platelets sequester cfDNA throughout circulation. Credit score: Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adp3971
Swansea College has helped uncover a stunning new position for platelets—one that might considerably advance early most cancers detection.
The research, led by the College of Oxford and revealed in Science, has revealed that platelets act as scavengers, capturing and storing fragments of DNA circulating within the blood, together with mutated DNA in sufferers recognized with most cancers.
When cells die, they launch genetic materials into the bloodstream, triggering undesirable immune responses or different well being issues.
Till now, scientists haven’t totally understood how the physique clears these probably dangerous molecules, however the crew’s analysis means that platelets actively take up stray DNA, serving to to scrub the blood and keep immune steadiness.
Evaluation of platelet DNA by way of a easy blood check has been capable of detect the presence of even pre-cancerous modifications, paving the way in which for early and correct most cancers screening strategies which can be much less invasive.
Professor Paul Rees from Swansea’s College of Science and Engineering, who co-supervised the undertaking, performed a key position in analyzing microscopy information that confirmed this course of.
Professor Rees stated, “The role of platelets, which are primarily involved with blood clotting, in absorbing cell-free DNA from the blood was completely unexpected. Also, the protection they give the internalized DNA from degradation in the blood means that this source of platelet DNA is perfect for detecting modifications and mutations that indicate diseases such as cancer in the body at a very early stage.”
The evaluation of circulating DNA within the blood is rising as an necessary screening technique in plenty of well being care settings. Nonetheless, present approaches discard the platelets and solely deal with platelet-depleted blood plasma.
Challenge lead creator Dr. Lauren Murphy, a postdoctoral researcher from the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Drugs (MRC WIMM), stated, “Our study suggests that platelets might be even more important for our health than we previously realized. It also indicates that current liquid biopsy screening methods are overlooking valuable genetic information that is contained within platelets.”
Remarkably, the crew additionally found proof of fetal DNA within the platelets of pregnant moms, providing new potentialities to refine and enhance genetic testing strategies used at this time.
Dr. Bethan Psaila, Affiliate Professor of Hematology on the College of Oxford and senior creator of the research, stated, “Our discovery that platelets act as tiny DNA dust-busters in the blood was unexpected. One lucky consequence of this is that platelets bear hallmarks of DNA damage that has occurred in all tissues in our body—and analysis of platelets can potentially improve screening tests, including for cancer.”
The research was a collaborative effort between researchers at Oxford, the College of Edinburgh, and Swansea College.
Extra data:
Lauren Murphy et al, Platelets sequester extracellular DNA, capturing tumor-derived and free fetal DNA, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adp3971
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Scavenger platelets that retailer DNA might remodel most cancers screening (2025, August 15)
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