Platelet dysfunction and thrombocytopenia are common responses to sepsis, but how sepsis changes platelet function is not completely understood. This is due, in part, to our lack of understanding of how sepsis alters platelet protein patterns. The aim of the present study, accordingly, was to investigate the response of the platelet proteome to sepsis. We applied proteomic technology to analyze platelet samples of rats with sepsis. Rats were divided into two groups: 1) sham surgery and 2) sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. Platelet samples were collected from surviving rats 12 and 24h after surgery, and platelet proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). In the CLP group, there were 20 spots that were statistically significantly different at 12h. Of these spots, 16 spots were increased and four spots were decreased. At 24h, there were six spots increased in the CLP group. Of the 26 spots, 12 proteins associated with platelet activation, acute phase proteins, cytoskeleton structure, and energy production were identified. Of interest, alpha-1-antitrypsin precursor (AAT) and ATP synthase beta subunit (ATPB) were both increased at 12 and 24h of sepsis by 2-DE and immunoblotting. By providing the platelet profiles, our results demonstrate that this proteomic approach brings us closer to understanding how platelet dysfunction develops after sepsis.
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