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Cell-derived microparticles: a new challenge in neuroscience
Loïc Doeuvre1, Laurent Plawinski, Florence Toti
1INSERM U, Université de Caen, France.
Abstract:
Microparticles (MPs) are membrane fragments shed by cells activated by a variety of stimuli including serine proteases, inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and stress inducers. MPs originating from platelets, leukocytes, endothelial cells, and erythrocytes are found in circulating blood at relative concentrations determined by the pathophysiological context. The procoagulant activity of MPs is their most characterized property as a determinant of thrombosis in various vascular and systemic diseases including myocardial infarction and diabetes. An increase in circulating MPs has also been associated with ischemic cerebrovascular accidents, transient ischemic attacks, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral malaria. Recent data indicate that besides their procoagulant components and identity antigens, MPs bear a number of bioactive effectors that can be disseminated, exchanged, and transferred via MPs cell interactions. Furthermore, as activated parenchymal cells may also shed MPs carrying identity antigens and biomolecules, MPs are now emerging as new messengers/biomarkers from a specific tissue undergoing activation or damage. Thus, detection of MPs of neurovascular origin in biological fluids such as CSF or tears, and even in circulating blood in case of blood-brain barrier leakage, would not only improve our comprehension of neurovascular pathophysiology, but may also constitute a powerful tool as a biomarker in disease prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up.
Insights
Microparticles (MPs) are cell fragments involved in thrombosis and disease. Detecting MPs of neurovascular origin could improve disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cell Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are membrane fragments released from activated cells like platelets, leukocytes, endothelial cells, and erythrocytes.
- Circulating MP levels vary with pathophysiological conditions and are linked to thrombosis in diseases such as myocardial infarction and diabetes.
- MPs are associated with various neurological conditions, including ischemic strokes, transient ischemic attacks, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral malaria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of MPs as bioactive messengers and potential biomarkers.
- To investigate the significance of MPs originating from specific tissues, particularly the neurovasculature.
- To highlight the potential of detecting neurovascular MPs for improved understanding and clinical application in neurological diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microparticle generation, characterization, and function.
- Analysis of studies linking circulating MPs to various vascular and systemic diseases.
- Exploration of emerging research on tissue-specific MPs and their detection in biological fluids.
Main Results:
- MPs possess procoagulant activity and are implicated in thrombosis and vascular diseases.
- Increased circulating MPs correlate with conditions like myocardial infarction, diabetes, and neurological disorders.
- MPs can transfer bioactive molecules and act as messengers, carrying tissue-specific information.
Conclusions:
- MPs are critical mediators in thrombosis and various diseases.
- MPs of neurovascular origin hold promise as novel biomarkers for neurological conditions.
- Detection of neurovascular MPs could enhance disease prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and patient monitoring.
