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Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
Published on: January 6, 2017
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Characterization of Microvesicles in Septic Shock Using High-Sensitivity Flow Cytometry.
Georg Franz Lehner1, Ulrich Harler, Viktoria Maria Haller
1*Division of Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria †Department of Internal Medicine V-Haematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.)
|May 21, 2016
Summary
In septic shock, endothelial-derived microvesicles (MV) were not elevated. However, increased platelet-derived MV and other markers correlated with a worse outcome, suggesting their potential as prognostic indicators.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Critical Care Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is central to septic shock.
- Endothelial-derived microvesicles (MVs) are potential biomarkers for endothelial health.
- Previous studies suggest elevated MVs in various pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of endothelial-derived microvesicles (MVs) in patients with septic shock.
- To determine if circulating MVs can serve as indicators of endothelial state in septic shock.
Main Methods:
- Quantified microvesicles (MVs) in blood from healthy volunteers and septic shock patients using high-sensitivity flow cytometry (hsFC).
- hsFC offers an improved detection limit for smaller microvesicles (approx. 0.3 μm).
Main Results:
- Septic shock patients (n=30) exhibited 3-fold higher CD31+/CD41- MVs compared to healthy controls (n=18).
- Endothelial-specific MVs (CD144+, CD62E+, CD106+) were unexpectedly low in all groups.
- Elevated platelet-derived CD41+ MVs and CD31+/CD41-/AnnexinV- MVs correlated with increased mortality within 48 hours.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to expectations, endothelial-specific MVs were not elevated in septic shock patients despite sensitive detection methods.
- Increased levels of platelet-derived MVs and other specific MV subsets may indicate poor prognosis in septic shock.
- These findings suggest a shift in focus towards platelet and leukocyte-derived MVs for predicting outcomes in septic shock.

