Flow cytometry analysis of porcine platelets: optimized methods for best results

Animal models are essential tools for the in vivo evaluation of pharmacological modulation of platelet function and the mechanisms underlying thrombosis. In particular, pigs are being increasingly used in cardiovascular and platelet research. One standard method for the investigation of platelet function under experimental conditions is flow cytometry. However, this approach is limited by a shortage of feasible antibodies and a lack of incubation protocols with regard to porcine platelets. This study aimed to establish a method for the investigation of porcine platelets in flow cytometry. Platelets from pigs and human donors were stained with various commercially available specific antibodies against platelet receptors CD41a, CD42bα, CD62P, activated CD41/CD61, and platelet-bound fibrinogen. Staining procedures were performed in undiluted or diluted whole blood (WB) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Samples were treated with PBS buffer as control or with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to induce platelet activation. Flow cytometry was performed using standard methodology. Furthermore, platelet counts were determined and ADP-induced platelet aggregations of both species were examined to confirm that the agonist ADP reliably activates human as well as porcine platelets. Five of the investigated antibodies bound to human, but not to porcine platelets only. However, two chicken-derived antibodies directed against CD62P (09-143) and fibrinogen (09-038) as well as a monoclonal mouse anti-CD62P (KO2.5) and a polyclonal rabbit anti-fibrinogen antibody (F0111) allowed reliable detection of porcine platelet activation. Moreover, binding intensity of the 09-143 antibody was increased when incubated in porcine PRP compared to WB, whereas antibody binding of both anti-fibrinogen antibodies to porcine platelets was only observed when incubated in a WB-buffer solution. KO2.5 antibody binding was detectable employing PRP as well as the WB-buffer solution. The feasibility of our new incubation protocols was confirmed by successful investigation of platelet activation in a porcine in vivo cardiopulmonary bypass model. In conclusion, we describe a reliable method to detect the activation of porcine platelets and therefore provide a useful tool for platelet flow cytometry in porcine models. Notably, the applied incubation protocol and medium, in which platelets are suspended, have major effects on antibody-binding properties.