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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Microparticle content of platelet concentrates is predicted by donor microparticles and is altered by production
Elisabeth Maurer-Spurej1, Rune Larsen2, Audrey Labrie3
1Centre for Blood Research, Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada; LightIntegra Technology Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract:
In circulation, shedding of microparticles from a variety of viable cells can be triggered by pathological activation of inflammatory processes, by activation of coagulation or complement systems, or by physical stress. Elevated microparticle content (MPC) in donor blood might therefore indicate a clinical condition of the donor which, upon transfusion, might affect the recipient. In blood products, elevated MPC might also represent product stress. Surprisingly, the MPC in blood collected from normal blood donors is highly variable, which raises the question whether donor microparticles are present in-vivo and transfer into the final blood component, and how production methods and post-production processing might affect the MPC. We measured MPC using ThromboLUX in (a) platelet-rich plasma (PRP) of 54 apheresis donors and the corresponding apheresis products, (b) 651 apheresis and 646 pooled platelet concentrates (PCs) with plasma and 414 apheresis PCs in platelet additive solution (PAS), and (c) apheresis PCs before and after transportation, gamma irradiation, and pathogen inactivation (N = 8, 7, and 12 respectively). ThromboLUX-measured MPC in donor PRP and their corresponding apheresis PC samples were highly correlated (r = 0.82, P = .001). The average MPC in pooled PC was slightly lower than that in apheresis PC and substantially lower in apheresis PC stored with PAS rather than plasma. Mirasol Pathogen Reduction treatment significantly increased MPC with age. Thus, MPC measured in donor samples might be a useful predictor of product stability, especially if post-production processes are necessary.
Insights
Microparticle content (MPC) in donor blood is variable and may indicate donor health or product stress. Measuring MPC can predict blood product stability, especially after processing.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) shed from cells during stress, inflammation, or activation. Elevated MP content (MPC) in donor blood may signal donor health issues or product stress.
- High variability in MPC among normal donors raises questions about in vivo transfer and processing effects on final blood components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the variability of MPC in donor blood and blood products.
- To assess the correlation between donor MPC and apheresis product MPC.
- To evaluate the impact of storage conditions and processing methods on MPC.
Main Methods:
- Microparticle content (MPC) measured using ThromboLUX.
- Analyzed platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from 54 apheresis donors and their apheresis products.
- Examined 651 apheresis and 646 pooled platelet concentrates (PCs) with plasma, and 414 apheresis PCs in platelet additive solution (PAS).
- Assessed MPC in apheresis PCs before and after transportation, gamma irradiation, and pathogen inactivation.
Main Results:
- Strong correlation (r=0.82, P=.001) between donor PRP MPC and corresponding apheresis PC MPC.
- Pooled PCs had slightly lower MPC than apheresis PCs.
- PCs in PAS showed substantially lower MPC than those in plasma.
- Mirasol Pathogen Reduction treatment significantly increased MPC with product age.
Conclusions:
- Donor MPC correlates with apheresis product MPC, suggesting potential as a predictor of product stability.
- Storage in PAS and certain processing steps like pathogen reduction can influence MPC.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of MPC in transfusion medicine.
