Analysis of epigenetic effects associated with blood transfusions in humans

• Grant number: 22/15920-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Isabel Cristina Céspedes
• Grantee: Isabel Cristina Céspedes
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Luis Vicente Garcia

Abstract

Blood transfusion, the oldest and most used medical procedure, involves the transfusion of whole blood or its components (blood components) from a donor to a beneficiary. It is considered a complex process, and despite all the quality control required, there are still important risks to the patient. Such risks include the transmission of diseases through the blood, transfusion reactions (acute or delayed), immunological reactions, and septic reactions. Thus, blood transfusion can save lives, but it is a therapy associated with potential risks resulting in increased patient hospitalization time, hospital costs, and the number of deaths. However, despite being a widely used technique, there is little knowledge about the epigenetic effects on the genome of patients who received an allogeneic blood transfusion. Thus, our hypothesis is that blood transfusion may result in epigenetic changes in transfused patients, contributing to the occurrence of transfusion reactions not yet described or little known. Thus, the objective of the project is to evaluate the possible epigenetic effects, through methylation analysis, in patients who received a transfusion of allogeneic whole blood or blood components, in comparison with patients who did not receive a blood transfusion. 600 patients with elective surgery scheduled at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP) from the sectors of Orthopedics, Surgery (Urology, Proctology, Gastrosurgery, Neurosurgery and Thoracic Surgery), Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery will compose a control group (patients who did not receive transfusion) and the blood transfusion group (Patients who received transfusion blood). Socio-demographic and clinical information will be collected through the Electronic Patient Record (PEP). A blood collection seven days after the surgical procedure will be performed for epigenetic evaluation. With this work, we hope to obtain unprecedented results regarding the association between DNA methylation and blood transfusions, which may contribute to understanding the significant increase in morbidity and mortality associated with transfusion. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CESPEDES, ISABEL CRISTINA; FIGUEIREDO, MARIA STELLA; HOSSNE JR, NELSON AMERICO; SURIANO, ITALO CAPRARO; RODRIGUES, RITA DE CASSIA; BARROS, MELCA MARIA OLIVEIRA; NETO, MANOEL ANTONIO DE PAIVA; ATALLAH, FERNANDA CHOHFI; BENINI, BARBARA BURZA; GONZALEZ, ADRIANO MIZIARA; et al. Patient Blood Management Program Implementation: Comprehensive Recommendations and Practical Strategies. Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular, v. 39, n. 5, p. 10-pg., 2024-01-01. (22/15920-7)

DE MELLO, MARCO ANTONIO ARAUJO; PEREIRA-RUFINO, LAIS DA SILVA; COLARES, FERNANDA FLORES DE ALENCAR; PANFILIO, CARLOS EDUARDO; DE SOUZA, ALBERT SCHIAVETO; CESPEDES, ISABEL CRISTINA. Successful Case of Double Valve Replacement Surgery Using Autologous Blood Transfusion: A Patient's Autonomy Preserved with Excellent Clinical Outcome. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS, v. 25, p. 7-pg., 2024-07-24. (21/13092-7, 22/15920-7)