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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation
Published on: December 15, 2017
Distinct features of circulating microparticles and their relationship with disease activity in inflammatory bowel
Evangelos Voudoukis1, Eleni-Kyriaki Vetsika2, Konstantina Giannakopoulou1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Venizelion General Hospital (Evangelos Voudoukis, Konstantina Giannakopoulou, Konstantinos Karmiris, Angeliki Theodoropoulou, Gregorios A. Paspatis), Crete, Greece.
Background:
There is evidence that circulating microparticles (MPs) and annexin (+) platelet-derived MPs (PDMPs) are increased in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of our study was to characterize the abundance, origin, and annexin V binding of MPs in patients with IBD and correlate them with the disease characteristics.
Methods:
Case-control study of 46 IBD patients (23 Crohn's disease, 23 ulcerative colitis) and 40 matched healthy controls (HC). MPs were divided according to annexin V binding, their origin was estimated based on specific cell membrane markers in plasma samples and their number was calculated via flow cytometry. Clinical and laboratory activity indices were also analyzed.
Results:
Annexin (-) PDMPs (P=0.0004), total (P=0.04) and annexin (+) monocyte-derived MPs (P=0.02) were increased and annexin (-) total MPs (P=0.0007) were decreased in IBD patients compared to HC. The annexin (+)/(-) ratio of all MP types were significantly elevated in IBD patients compared to HC (P<0.003). IBD patients with active disease displayed elevated total and annexin (+) total MPs, total, annexin (+) and (-) PDMPs compared with those in remission (P<0.05). Annexin (-) PDMPs were considerably increased in IBD patients with active compared to those with inactive disease (P=0.0013). Total and annexin (-) PDMPs were significantly correlated with most of the disease activity indices (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
The majority of circulating MPs, their counterparts and particularly annexin (-) PDMPs are increased in active IBD patients. Annexin (+)/(-) ratio proved to be the most reliable distinctive MP index between HC and IBD patients.
Insights
Circulating microparticles (MPs) and platelet-derived MPs (PDMPs) are elevated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The annexin V binding ratio of MPs is a key indicator distinguishing IBD patients from healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Circulating microparticles (MPs) and annexin (+) platelet-derived MPs (PDMPs) are implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Understanding the characteristics of MPs in IBD is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the abundance, origin, and annexin V binding of MPs in IBD patients.
- To correlate MP levels with IBD disease characteristics and activity.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 46 IBD patients (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and 40 healthy controls (HC).
- MPs were analyzed for annexin V binding and cell origin using flow cytometry and specific membrane markers.
- Clinical and laboratory disease activity indices were assessed.
Main Results:
- IBD patients showed increased annexin (-) PDMPs, total monocyte-derived MPs, and annexin (+) monocyte-derived MPs compared to HC.
- The annexin (+)/(-) ratio for all MP types was significantly elevated in IBD patients.
- Active IBD was associated with higher levels of total MPs, PDMPs (both annexin (+) and (-)), and correlated with disease activity indices.
Conclusions:
- Circulating MPs, particularly annexin (-) PDMPs, are elevated in active IBD.
- The annexin (+)/(-) ratio of MPs serves as a reliable biomarker for distinguishing IBD patients from healthy individuals.
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