Relationships between optical aggregometry (type born) and flow cytometry in evaluating ADP-induced platelet...

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• Monitoring anti-aggregation therapy efficacy relies on assessing platelet response to activators.
• Understanding early platelet activation events is crucial for therapeutic monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish relationships between early adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet activation markers measured by flow cytometry and platelet-rich plasma aggregation quantified by optical aggregometry.
• To validate these relationships in patients undergoing coronary stenting and treated with anti-platelet medications.

Main Methods:

• Peripheral blood from 12 healthy donors and 13 patients treated with aspirin or aspirin plus clopidogrel was analyzed.
• Flow cytometry quantified CD62P (P-selectin) and PAC-1 expression, and Ca(2+) mobilization after ADP stimulation.
• Platelet aggregation was measured using optical aggregometry and platelet reactivity index (PRI).

Main Results:

• Flow cytometry demonstrated higher sensitivity and lower interindividual variability compared to aggregometry.
• Significant linear and exponential relationships were observed between various platelet activation markers (CD62P, PAC-1, Ca(2+) mobilization) and aggregation in donors.
• In patients, strong correlations were found between aggregation and CD62P/PAC-1 expression, enabling prediction of aggregation inhibition after clopidogrel treatment.

Conclusions:

• Flow cytometry quantification of platelet activation markers, particularly CD62P, shows tight correlations with aggregation.
• These findings enable the prediction of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation response from flow cytometry data.
• This predictive capability is valuable for monitoring patients on aspirin or dual anti-platelet therapy.