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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Evaluation of Plasma Platelet Microparticles in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Leila Tahmasbi1, Mehran Karimi2, Sedigheh Amini Kafiabadi3
1Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Platelet microparticles (PMPs) have a procoagulant activity about 50-100 times greater than active platelets due to high expression of negatively charged phospholipids on their surfaces. In this study, we evaluated microparticle immunophenotyping and also plasma PMPs level in patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) in Southern Iran.
Method:
We had two study groups: 15 TTP patients and 15 healthy control group and PMPs from platelet concentrate (PC) at the 5th day of storage. Microparticles were prepared in two steps, by low and high centrifugation followed by size confirmation via 'Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)' Zetasizer. Immunophenotyping of PMPs was done via flow cytometry, using a FACS Calibur flow cytometer (BD, USA). PMPs counts were obtained using Partec-cyflow and Polysciences Microbeads (1 micron in diameter). Results were analyzed using FlowJo 7.6 (Treestar, USA) and Partec FlowMax software.
Results:
Our results showed that the majority of microparticles in TTP patients and normal individuals were PMPs and also demonstrated that the plasma PMPs level in TTP patients was higher than the normal control group (P-value<0.001).
Conclusion:
It seems that elevated PMPs level in TTP patients could be related to thrombotic events. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to confirm these results.
Insights
Elevated levels of platelet microparticles (PMPs) were found in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) patients compared to healthy controls. This suggests a potential link between higher PMP counts and thrombotic events in TTP.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Thrombosis Research
- Microparticle Analysis
Background:
- Platelet microparticles (PMPs) exhibit significantly higher procoagulant activity than platelets.
- This enhanced activity is attributed to the surface expression of negatively charged phospholipids.
- PMPs are implicated in various thrombotic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microparticle immunophenotyping in patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).
- To determine plasma PMP levels in TTP patients from Southern Iran.
- To investigate the association between PMPs and TTP pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving 15 TTP patients and 15 healthy controls.
- Isolation and characterization of PMPs using centrifugation and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS).
- Immunophenotyping of PMPs via flow cytometry; quantification using Partec-cyflow and Polysciences Microbeads.
Main Results:
- The majority of circulating microparticles in both TTP patients and controls were identified as PMPs.
- Plasma PMP levels were significantly elevated in TTP patients compared to the healthy control group (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma PMP levels in TTP patients may correlate with the occurrence of thrombotic events.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of PMPs in TTP.
- PMPs could serve as potential biomarkers for thrombotic risk in TTP.
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