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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Neutrophil-derived Microparticles for Functional Studies
Published on: March 2, 2018
Microparticles initiate decompression-induced neutrophil activation and subsequent vascular injuries
Stephen R Thom1, Ming Yang, Veena M Bhopale
1Institute for Environmental Medicine, Univ. of Pennsylvania, 1 John Morgan Bldg., 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6068, USA. sthom@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract:
Progressive elevations in circulating annexin V-coated microparticles (MPs) derived from leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells are found in mice subjected to increasing decompression stresses. Individual MPs exhibit surface markers from multiple cells. MPs expressing platelet surface markers, in particular, interact with circulating neutrophils, causing them to degranulate and leading to further MP production. MPs can be lysed by incubation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) telomere B surfactant, and the number of circulating MPs is reduced by infusion of mice with PEG or antibody to annexin V. Myeloperoxidase deposition and neutrophil sequestration in tissues occur in response to decompression, and the pattern differs among brain, omentum, psoas, and leg skeletal muscle. Both MP abatement strategies reduce decompression-induced intravascular neutrophil activation, neutrophil sequestration, and tissue injury documented as elevations of vascular permeability and activated caspase-3. We conclude that MPs generated by decompression stresses precipitate neutrophil activation and vascular damage.
Insights
Decompression stress increases circulating microparticles (MPs), which activate neutrophils and cause vascular damage. Reducing these MPs mitigates decompression-induced injury, highlighting MPs as key players in this process.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cellular biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Decompression stress is known to cause physiological changes.
- Microparticles (MPs) are circulating cell fragments implicated in various pathological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of annexin V-coated microparticles (MPs) in decompression stress-induced vascular injury.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting MPs.
Main Methods:
- Assessed circulating MP levels in mice under varying decompression stresses.
- Investigated MP-neutrophil interactions and the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and anti-annexin V antibody on MP levels and vascular injury.
Main Results:
- Progressive elevation of annexin V-coated MPs from various cell types with increasing decompression.
- MPs, particularly platelet-derived ones, induced neutrophil degranulation and further MP production.
- MP reduction via PEG or anti-annexin V antibody decreased neutrophil activation, sequestration, and tissue injury.
Conclusions:
- Decompression-induced MPs precipitate neutrophil activation and vascular damage.
- Targeting MPs offers a potential therapeutic approach for decompression-related injuries.
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