New Insights into Blood Clot Risks for People with Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of Platelet Protein SEC61B

Recent discoveries from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Center have shed light on a biological pathway that may explain why individuals with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing dangerous blood clots. This research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, highlights the role of a specific protein called SEC61B, which is found in platelets—the tiny blood cells responsible for clot formation. The study found that SEC61B levels are significantly higher in the platelets of people with type 2 diabetes. Elevated SEC61B disrupts calcium balance within platelets, leading to increased platelet reactivity and a higher tendency for clumping, which contributes to clot formation.

Importantly, the research demonstrated that inhibiting SEC61B activity with an antibiotic called anisomycin can reduce platelet hyperreactivity in both human samples and animal models. "People living with type 2 diabetes face a heightened risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes," said Associate Professor Freda Passam. "Our findings suggest a new approach to mitigate this risk by targeting SEC61B to prevent clot formation."

Globally, nearly 1.2 million Australians lived with type 2 diabetes in 2021, with higher prevalence among Indigenous populations and those in rural regions. Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death among diabetics, partly due to increased platelet activity and the limitations of traditional anticoagulant treatments in this group. The study employed advanced proteomic techniques to investigate how SEC61B contributes to calcium leakage inside platelets, making them more reactive. Although therapies targeting SEC61B are still in early stages, preclinical trials in animals could begin within a couple of years, paving the way for potential new treatments over the next decade.

This breakthrough offers hope for improved management of blood clot risks in people with type 2 diabetes, potentially reducing the incidence of life-threatening cardiovascular events.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-platelet-protein-blood-clot-people.html