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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Novel test for microparticles in platelet-rich plasma and platelet concentrates using dynamic light scattering
Yan Xu1, Nobu Nakane, Elisabeth Maurer-Spurej
1Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Background:
The level and clinical importance of platelet (PLT)-derived microparticles (PMPs) in PLT-rich plasma (PRP) and PLT transfusions is largely unknown due to the lack of technology to routinely determine the number and size of PMP in PLT samples. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is ideally suited to measure particles of submicron size but has previously been limited to the analysis of PLT-free samples.
Study Design And Methods:
PMPs were enumerated in 81 PRP and 79 apheresis PLT concentrate (APC) samples from the same donors using ThromboLUX (LightIntegra Technology, Inc.), a new DLS PLT quality test. The ThromboLUX results were compared with flow cytometry. Phase contrast and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy were used to qualitatively determine PMP levels.
Results:
The relative counts of PMPs measured by flow cytometry strongly correlated with the relative light scattering intensities of the PMP determined by ThromboLUX in both PRP (R = 0.7596, p < 0.0001) and APC (R = 0.6572, p < 0.0001) samples. High or low PMP levels in PLT samples were confirmed by phase contrast and DIC microscopy. The mean PMP radius measured with ThromboLUX, an absolute sizing technology, was 117.1 ± 77.6 nm as determined from the distribution of PMP content in all PLT samples investigated in this study.
Conclusions:
Correlation with flow cytometry and microscopy showed that ThromboLUX is well suited to measure PMP concentration and size distribution in PLT concentrate samples. In combination with noninvasive sampling, ThromboLUX could provide routine microparticle enumeration of PLT-containing samples.
Insights
A new dynamic light scattering (DLS) test, ThromboLUX, accurately measures platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in platelet-rich plasma and apheresis platelet concentrates. This technology enables routine PMP enumeration in platelet samples, crucial for transfusion quality.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are clinically significant but difficult to quantify in platelet products.
- Existing technologies are limited for analyzing PMPs in platelet-rich samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ThromboLUX, a novel dynamic light scattering (DLS) test, for enumerating PMPs in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and apheresis platelet concentrates (APC).
- To compare ThromboLUX performance against established methods like flow cytometry and microscopy.
Main Methods:
- PMPs were analyzed in 81 PRP and 79 APC samples using ThromboLUX.
- Results were validated using flow cytometry, phase contrast microscopy, and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy.
Main Results:
- ThromboLUX showed strong correlation with flow cytometry for PMP counts in both PRP (R=0.7596) and APC (R=0.6572) samples.
- Microscopy confirmed high or low PMP levels identified by ThromboLUX.
- The mean PMP radius measured by ThromboLUX was 117.1 ± 77.6 nm.
Conclusions:
- ThromboLUX is a suitable technology for measuring PMP concentration and size distribution in platelet concentrates.
- This method, combined with noninvasive sampling, can facilitate routine microparticle analysis in platelet-containing samples.
