Extracellular Vesicle Size Reveals Cargo Specific to Coagulation and Inflammation in Pediatric and Adult Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Aberrant coagulation in sickle cell disease (SCD) is linked to extracellular vesicle (EV) exposure. However, there is no consensus on the contributions of small EVs (SEVs) and large EVs (LEVs) toward underlying coagulopathy or on their molecular cargo. The present observational study compared the thrombin potential of SEVs and LEVs isolated from the plasma of stable pediatric and adult SCD patients. Further, EV lipid and protein contents were analyzed to define markers consistent with activation of thrombin and markers of underlying coagulopathy. Results suggested that LEVs—but not SEVs—from pediatrics and adults similarly enhanced phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent thrombin generation, and cell membrane procoagulant PS (18:0;20:4 and 18:0;18:1) were the most abundant lipids found in LEVs. Further, LEVs showed activated coagulation in protein pathway analyses, while SEVs demonstrated high levels of cholesterol esters and a protein pathway analysis that identified complement factors and inflammation. We suggest that thrombin potential of EVs from both stable pediatric and adult SCD patients is similarly dependent on size and show lipid and protein contents that identify underlying markers of coagulation and inflammation.