To identify platelet mRNAs correlating with coated-platelet levels in asymptomatic internal carotid stenosis.

Twenty-two samples were sequenced, 31,000 transcripts were analyzed, and 147 correlated with baseline coated-platelet levels with r>0.5 or <-0.5. We focused on three transcripts of interest significantly correlated with coated-platelet levels: YES1 (r=0.6, p=0.0033), PIK3CB (r=0.59, p=0.0049), and GNA14 (r=0.52, p=0.013). IPA revealed a significant overlap between three platelet transcripts, YES1, PIK3CB, and GNA14, and canonical pathways associated with tissue factor in angiogenesis and tumor growth in cancer (p=0.0026). 

Our results identified three platelet mRNAs, YES1, PIK3CB, and GNA14, significantly correlating with coated-platelet levels in AICS. Interestingly, YES1 encodes a src family tyrosine kinase that is inhibited by dasatinib, a chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. A recent study demonstrated lower coated-platelet levels in patients treated with dasatinib who develop bleeding despite normal platelet counts. These findings support a role for this pathway in determining coated-platelet levels, and further study is warranted to understand the specific roles of YES1, PIK3CB and GNA14 in platelet procoagulant potential.