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Published on: November 10, 2023
Clinical significance of circulating microparticles in Ph- myeloproliferative neoplasms
Wenjuan Zhang1,2,3, Jiaqian Qi1,2,3, Shixiang Zhao1,2,3
1Department of Haematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu Institute of Haematology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Microparticles (MPs) are small membrane vesicles that are classified into subcategories based on their origin, such as platelet-derived MPs (PMPs), endothelial MPs (EMPs), red blood cell MPs (RMPs) and tissue factor MPs (TF + MPs). Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) are disorders characterized by abnormal haematopoiesis, thrombosis and the JAK2V617F mutation. MPs are biomarkers for procoagulant state in cancer patients, but their relevance in patients with Ph-MPN was unclear. The present study aimed to measure MP variation in MPN patients and evaluate association with the JAK2V617F mutation and with thrombosis and splenomegaly. In total, 92 patients with MPN were enrolled in the present study, including 60 with essential thrombocythaemia (ET), 20 with polycythaemia vera (PV), and 12 with primary myelofibrosis (PMF). RMPs, PMPs, TF + MPs and EMPs were measured by flow cytometry. The levels of RMPs, PMPs, EMPs and TF + MPs in patients with Ph-MPN were all found to be significantly increased compared with controls (P<0.05). Additionally, the levels of all four types of MPs in the PMF group were significantly increased compared with the PV group (P<0.05), and the level of RMPs in the PMF group was significantly increased compared with the ET group (P<0.05). MP levels were increased in the Ph-MPN patients with thrombosis compared with patients without thrombosis (P<0.05). MP levels were increased in Ph-MPN patients with splenomegaly compared with patients without splenomegaly (P<0.05). The level of PMPs in patients with the JAK2V617F mutation was increased compared with patients without the mutation (P<0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed that MPs are associated with Ph-MPN pathogenesis, and may promote thrombosis.
Insights
Microparticles (MPs) are elevated in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN), correlating with disease severity, JAK2V617F mutation, thrombosis, and splenomegaly. These findings suggest MPs play a role in Ph-MPN pathogenesis and thrombosis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are membrane vesicles with known roles as biomarkers in cancer.
- Their specific relevance in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) remained unclear.
- Ph-MPN are characterized by abnormal blood cell production, clotting issues, and often the JAK2V617F mutation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify MP levels in Ph-MPN patients.
- To investigate associations between MP levels and the JAK2V617F mutation.
- To evaluate the relationship between MP levels and clinical features like thrombosis and splenomegaly.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to measure four types of MPs: red blood cell MPs (RMPs), platelet-derived MPs (PMPs), endothelial MPs (EMPs), and tissue factor MPs (TF+ MPs).
- 92 patients with MPN (60 ET, 20 PV, 12 PMF) and controls were analyzed.
- Statistical comparisons were made between patient groups and clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- All four measured MP types were significantly elevated in Ph-MPN patients compared to controls.
- Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patients showed higher levels of all MPs than polycythaemia vera (PV) patients, and higher RMPs than essential thrombocythaemia (ET) patients.
- Elevated MP levels correlated with the presence of thrombosis, splenomegaly, and the JAK2V617F mutation, particularly PMPs.
Conclusions:
- Microparticles are significantly increased in Ph-MPN patients.
- Elevated MP levels are associated with key disease characteristics including the JAK2V617F mutation, thrombosis, and splenomegaly.
- MPs may contribute to the prothrombotic state observed in Ph-MPN.

