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Published on: June 16, 2020
Systematic Review of the Role of Microparticles in Systemic Sclerosis
James V Dunne1, Julius Bankole, Kevin J Keen
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 320 - 2184 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6K 2E1, Canada. James.Dunne@VCH.ca.
Abstract:
Microparticles (MPs) are small, membrane-coated vesicles released in response to injury, cell activation or apoptosis. Growing evidence suggests associations between MPs and disease manifestations in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study is to systematically review published articles and abstracts that discuss the role of MPs in SSc. The Web of Science(®), PubMed(®) and Google Scholar databases were searched for all articles and abstracts that discussed MPs in the context of SSc. The literature search was conducted on 18 July 2013 and restricted to English-language articles and abstracts. From a total of 150 distinct articles and 10 abstracts, only 14 articles and 4 abstracts met the criteria for an attempt of quantitative synthesis. Twenty articles were accepted for a review of reviews. Conference proceedings and journals not cataloged in either Web of Science(®) or PubMed(®) or searchable by Google Scholar would have been undetected. There is a risk of valid studies with negative results going unpublished. Few studies have been conducted on MPs in patients with SSc so it was possible to thoroughly consider each. While there is low quality evidence from studies that plasma concentrations of circulating endothelial and platelet MPs are elevated in SSc patients and that plasma concentrations of circulating endothelial MPs are higher in SSc cases with either pulmonary hypertension or interstitial lung disease than those SSc cases without, definitive conclusions are not possible due to heterogeneity of the studies with respect to inclusion criteria, populations studied, laboratory analysis methods, and choice of outcome statistics.
Insights
Microparticles (MPs) may be elevated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, particularly endothelial MPs in those with lung disease. However, limited studies and varied methods prevent definitive conclusions on MPs' role in SSc.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are vesicles released during cell activation or damage.
- Growing evidence links MPs to systemic sclerosis (SSc) manifestations.
- The specific role of MPs in SSc pathogenesis requires systematic investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on the role of MPs in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- To assess the current evidence regarding MP levels and their association with SSc disease features.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases up to July 18, 2013.
- Inclusion of English-language articles and abstracts discussing MPs in the context of SSc.
- Quantitative synthesis attempted for 14 articles and 4 abstracts; 20 articles reviewed for review of reviews.
Main Results:
- Low-quality evidence suggests elevated plasma concentrations of circulating endothelial and platelet MPs in SSc patients.
- Circulating endothelial MPs may be higher in SSc patients with pulmonary hypertension or interstitial lung disease.
- Significant heterogeneity in study criteria, populations, methods, and statistics limits definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence on the role of MPs in SSc is limited and of low quality.
- Variability in research methodologies hinders definitive conclusions regarding MP levels in SSc.
- Further standardized research is needed to elucidate the precise role of MPs in SSc and its complications.
