Highlights from the literature

Hibernating bears Brown bears hibernate for 4–7 months a year. They are big animals, and during this time are clearly immobile. It is very interesting that they do not get deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or venous thromboembolic phenomenon (VTE). Lucina found this fascinating and so Jennifer Abassi [JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.7143] who has summarised a paper recently published by Thienel M et al [Science 2023;380;178–187. DOI: 10.1126/science.abo5044]. This team explained the bear animal model. They have identified a protein on platelets that down regulates during periods of immobility. Using mass spectrometry proteomics, they showed an antithrombotic signature in platelets in brown bears which was due to a heat shock protein (HSP47). This down regulation is essentially causing ablation and attenuated immune cell activation which leads to thromboprotection. This down regulation is also found in humans with long term immobilisation associated with spinal cord injury. Future therapeutics? Breast or Bottle...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Category: Pediatrics Tags: Miscellanea Source Type: research