Lazar, S, Wurtzel, JGT, Chen, X, Ma, P, Goldfinger, LE. 2021. High efficiency transfection of platelets with naked double-stranded miRNAs modulates signal-activated translation and platelet function. Platelets 32(6):794-806. PMID: 32838617.

We demonstrate the ability of ex vivo platelets to internalize ectopic miRNAs by unassisted transfection, and to utilize them to modulate signal-activated translation and platelet function, including modulation of extracellular vesicle generation.

Michael, JV, Wurtzel, JGT, Mao, GF, Rao, AK, Kolpakov, MA, Sabri, A, Hoffman, NE, Rajan, S, Tomar, D, Madesh, M, Nieman, MT, Yu, J, Edelstein, LC, Rowley, JW, Weyrich, AS, and Goldfinger, LE. 2017. Platelet microparticles infiltrating solid tumors transfer miRNAs that suppress tumor growth. Blood 130(5):567-580. PMID: 28500171. PMCID: PMC5542851.

We demonstrate, for the first time, in vivo association of platelet-derived microvesicles (microparticles) with cancer cells in solid tumors, transfer of platelet-derived microRNAs to the tumor cells, and anti-tumor effects via microRNA-mediated gene regulation in the target cells.

Janapati, S, Wurtzel, JGT, Dangelmaier, C, Manne, BK, Bhavanasi, D, Kostyak, JC, Kim, S, Holinstat, M, Kunapuli, SP, Goldfinger, LE. 2018. TC21/RRas2 regulates glycoprotein VI-FcRg-mediated platelet activation and thrombus stability. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 16:1632-1645. PMID: 29883056. PMCID: PMC6286703.

We show regulatory roles for small GTPases not previously characterized in platelets, in receptor-proximal platelet signaling, platelet function, and in vivo thrombosis.

Chen, X, Gupta, S, Cooper, M, DeHelian, DJ, Zhao, X, Naik, M, Wurtzel, JGT, Stalker, TJ, Goldfinger, LE, McKenzie, SE, Benovic, J, Brass, LF, Naik, UP, Ma, P. 2020. GRK6 regulates the hemostatic response to injury through its rate-limiting effects on GPCR signaling in platelets. Blood Advances 4(1):76-86. PMID: 31899801.

A recent study representing ongoing collaboration across multiple labs in the Cardeza Foundation, demonstrating novel negative regulatory signaling pathways of platelet function and hemostasis.