Microparticles and type 2 diabetes

Cell activation or apoptosis leads to plasma membrane blebbing and microparticles (MPs) release in the extracellular space. MPs are submicron membrane vesicles, which harbour a panel of oxidized phospholipids and proteins specific to the cells they derived from. MPs are found in the circulating blood of healthy volunteers. MPs levels are increased in many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases with high thrombotic risk. Exposure of negatively charged phospholipids and tissue factor confers a procoagulant potential to MPs. Elevation of plasma MPs levels, particularly those of endothelial origin, reflects cellular injury and appears now as a surrogate marker of vascular dysfunction. Recent studies demonstrate an elevation of circulating levels of MPs in diabetes. MPs could also be involved in the development of vascular complications in diabetes for they stimulate pro-inflammatory responses in target cells and promote thrombosis, endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis. Thus, these studies provide new insight in the pathogenesis and treatment of vascular complications of diabetes.