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Updated: May 12, 2026
Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Proteomic characterization of human platelet-derived microparticles
Anna Laura Capriotti1, Giuseppe Caruso, Chiara Cavaliere
1Dipartimento di Chimica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy. annalaura.capriotti@uniroma1.it
Abstract:
Microparticles (MPs) are small fragments of apoptotic or activated cells that may contribute to pathological processes in many diseases. Platelet-derived MPs (PMPs) are the most abundant type of MPs in human blood. To characterize the proteins in PMPs we used a shotgun proteomics approach by nanoHPLC separation followed by MS analysis on an LTQ Orbitrap XL. PMPs were produced from isolated platelets stimulated with adenosine diphosphate (ADP). We developed an analytical platform constituted by two different steps: in the first one we used a standard shotgun strategy; in the second one, to improve low-molecular weight, low-abundance-proteins identification, the samples were fractionated using hydrogel nanoparticles, an enrichment system based on a mixed mechanism of dimensional exclusion and colorant affinity. This was chosen to tackle a common issue with shotgun approaches, in which the low-abundance proteins are not detected when surveys are on a broad scale. By means of the entire analytical platform, we identified 603 proteins, 243 of which were not previously identified. A simple and straightforward procedure for the study of PMPs was provided, producing a tool for further understanding their biological and pathological roles, and a baseline for future studies aimed at discovering biomarkers involved in several diseases.
Insights
Researchers identified 603 proteins in platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), including 243 novel proteins. This advance aids understanding of PMP roles in disease and biomarker discovery.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are cell fragments implicated in various diseases.
- Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are the most prevalent MPs in human blood.
- Characterizing PMP proteins is crucial for understanding their pathological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively identify proteins within PMPs.
- To develop an improved proteomic strategy for low-abundance protein detection.
- To establish a foundation for PMP-related biomarker discovery.
Main Methods:
- Shotgun proteomics using nano-HPLC and LTQ Orbitrap XL mass spectrometry.
- PMPs were generated from adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated platelets.
- A two-step analytical platform incorporating hydrogel nanoparticle fractionation for enhanced low-molecular weight and low-abundance protein identification.
Main Results:
- Identification of 603 unique proteins in PMPs.
- Discovery of 243 previously unidentified proteins.
- Development of a robust analytical method for PMP proteomic analysis.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a refined proteomic approach for PMP analysis.
- The identified protein dataset offers insights into PMP biological and pathological functions.
- This work serves as a baseline for future biomarker research in diseases involving PMPs.
