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Published on: June 5, 2019
The effect of gestational age on platelet surface expression of CD62P in preterm newborns
Alicja Wasiluk1, Maria Mantur, Marek Szczepański
1Department of Neonatology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. awasiluk@amb.edu.pl
Insights
Preterm newborns show low P-selectin expression on platelets, indicating potential platelet dysfunction. This deficit may impair immune responses and hemostasis in vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hemostasis in preterm newborns is compromised due to limited functional capacity and risk factors like asphyxia and infection.
- Platelets are crucial for hemostasis, and their activation status can be assessed by markers like CD62P (P-selectin).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CD62P on platelets in preterm newborns.
- To explore the relationship between CD62P expression and gestational age in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 16 preterm newborns (5 female, 11 male) was studied.
- DAKO QIFIKIT was used to quantify CD62P antigen expression per platelet.
Main Results:
- The mean CD62P expression was 23,792 per platelet.
- A strong positive correlation was observed between CD62P antigen density and gestational age (r = 0.954, p = 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Preterm newborns exhibit a deficit in P-selectin expression on their platelets.
- This P-selectin deficiency may contribute to platelet dysfunction and impaired interactions with leukocytes, potentially affecting infection control.
Abstract:
Hemostasis in preterm newborns is characterized by low reserve functional capacity with special reference to the presence of such risk factors as asphyxia or infection. Platelets play vitally important role in hemostasis. Expression of CD62P is a marker of stimulated or activated blood platelets. The study involved a group of 16 preterm newborns, five girls and 11 boys. DAKO QIFIKIT was applied to calculate the number of these antigens. The mean CD 62P expression was found to be 23,792 per platelet. Correlation was found between antigen density and gestational age r = 0.954, p = 0.01. Evident deficit of P-selectin on the surface of platelets in preterm newborns may be at least in part responsible for platelet dysfunction, with special reference to interaction between circulating leukocytes and combating infection.
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