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Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Clinical relevance of microparticles from platelets and megakaryocytes
Joseph E Italiano1, Albert T A Mairuhu, Robert Flaumenhaft
1Division of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. jitaliano@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Purpose Of Review:
Platelet microparticles were identified more than 40 years ago and are the most abundant circulating microparticle subtype. Yet fundamental questions about their formation and role in human disease are just beginning to be understood at the cellular and molecular level. This review will address mechanisms of platelet microparticle generation and evaluate our current understanding of their clinical relevance.
Recent Findings:
New evidence indicates that the majority of CD41 microparticles circulating in healthy individuals derive directly from megakaryocytes. CD41 microparticles also form from activated platelets upon loss of cytoskeleton-membrane adhesion, which occurs in a multitude of disease states characterized by elevated platelet microparticle levels. More recent studies have demonstrated that platelet microparticles function as a transport and delivery system for bioactive molecules, participating in hemostasis and thrombosis, inflammation, malignancy infection transfer, angiogenesis, and immunity. The mechanism of platelet microparticle participation in specific disease entities such as rheumatoid arthritis has been elucidated.
Summary:
Continued research into how platelet microparticles are generated and function as a transcellular delivery system will advance our basic understanding of microparticle physiology and may enable new strategies for treatment of select disease entities.
Insights
Platelet microparticles, abundant in circulation, are increasingly understood to originate from megakaryocytes and activated platelets. These particles act as crucial delivery systems in various physiological and pathological processes, including immunity and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Platelet microparticles (PMPs) are the most common circulating microparticle subtype, identified over 40 years ago.
- Despite their abundance, fundamental aspects of PMP formation and their roles in disease remain incompletely understood at the cellular and molecular levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of platelet microparticle generation.
- To evaluate the current understanding of the clinical relevance of platelet microparticles.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes recent evidence on PMP formation and function.
- It examines studies elucidating PMP involvement in various disease states.
Main Results:
- The majority of circulating CD41 microparticles in healthy individuals originate from megakaryocytes.
- PMPs also form from activated platelets due to loss of cytoskeleton-membrane adhesion, prevalent in many diseases.
- Platelet microparticles function as transport systems for bioactive molecules, influencing hemostasis, thrombosis, inflammation, malignancy, infection, angiogenesis, and immunity.
- Mechanisms of PMP participation in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis have been clarified.
Conclusions:
- Further research on PMP generation and their function as transcellular delivery systems is essential.
- Understanding PMPs can advance knowledge of microparticle physiology and lead to novel therapeutic strategies for specific diseases.
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