TNF-α-driven inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction define the platelet hyperreactivity of aging

Blood. 2019 Aug 29;134(9):727-740. doi: 10.1182/blood.2019000200. Epub 2019 Jul 16.

Abstract

Aging and chronic inflammation are independent risk factors for the development of atherothrombosis and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that aging-associated inflammation promotes the development of platelet hyperreactivity and increases thrombotic risk during aging. Functional platelet studies in aged-frail adults and old mice demonstrated that their platelets are hyperreactive and form larger thrombi. We identified tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) as the key aging-associated proinflammatory cytokine responsible for platelet hyperreactivity. We further showed that platelet hyperreactivity is neutralized by abrogating signaling through TNF-α receptors in vivo in a mouse model of aging. Analysis of the bone marrow compartments showed significant platelet-biased hematopoiesis in old mice reflected by increased megakaryocyte-committed progenitor cells, megakaryocyte ploidy status, and thrombocytosis. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of native mouse megakaryocytes showed significant reprogramming of inflammatory, metabolic, and mitochondrial gene pathways in old mice that appeared to play a significant role in determining platelet hyperreactivity. Platelets from old mice (where TNF-α was endogenously increased) and from young mice exposed to exogenous TNF-α exhibited significant mitochondrial changes characterized by elevated mitochondrial mass and increased oxygen consumption during activation. These mitochondrial changes were mitigated upon TNF-α blockade. Similar increases in platelet mitochondrial mass were seen in platelets from patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, where TNF-α levels are also increased. Furthermore, metabolomics studies of platelets from young and old mice demonstrated age-dependent metabolic profiles that may differentially poise platelets for activation. Altogether, we present previously unrecognized evidence that TNF-α critically regulates megakaryocytes resident in the bone marrow niche and aging-associated platelet hyperreactivity and thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / immunology*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Megakaryocytes / immunology
  • Megakaryocytes / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mitochondria / immunology*
  • Mitochondria / pathology
  • Platelet Activation
  • Thrombosis / immunology*
  • Thrombosis / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha