Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Techniques for the Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: March 17, 2015
Absolute quantification of microparticles by flow cytometry in ascites of patients with decompensated cirrhosis: a
Cornelius Engelmann1, Katrin Splith2, Sandra Krohn3
1Section of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. cornelius.engelmann@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Background:
Microparticles (MPs) are small (<1 μm) cell membrane-derived vesicles that are formed in response to cellular activation or early stages of apoptosis. Increased plasma MP levels have been associated with liver disease severity. Here we investigated the clinical impact of ascites MPs in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Methods:
Ascites and blood samples of 163 patients with cirrhosis (ascites n = 163, blood n = 31) were collected between February 2011 and December 2012. MPs were obtained from ascites and from blood by two-step ultracentrifugation and quantified by flow cytometry. Quantitative absolute MP levels were correlated with clinical and laboratory baseline parameters as well as patient outcomes. Ascites microparticles were stained with antibodies against CD66b (neutrophils) and CD3 (lymphocytes) in a subgroup of 60 matched patients.
Results:
MPs were detected in all ascites and blood samples. Absolute ascites MP levels correlated with blood levels (r = 0.444, p = 0.011). Low ascites MP levels (<488.4 MP/μL) were associated with a poor 30-day survival probability (<488.4 MP/μL 71.1% vs. >488.4 MP/μL 94.7%, log rank p = 0.001) and such patients had a higher relative amount of ascites microparticles derived from neutrophils and lymphocytes. Low levels of ascites MPs, high MELD score and antibiotic treatment were independent risk factors for death within 30 days.
Conclusions:
Ascites MP levels predict short-term survival along with the liver function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Further studies which evaluate ascites MPs as disease specific biomarker with a validation cohort and which investigate its underlying mechanisms are needed. Neutrophils and lymphocytes contributed more frequently to the release of microparticles in patients with low ascites levels, possibly indicating an immune activation in this cohort.
Insights
Low ascites microparticle levels in decompensated cirrhosis patients predict poor short-term survival. These findings highlight microparticles as potential biomarkers for liver disease prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) are cell membrane-derived vesicles linked to cellular activation and apoptosis.
- Elevated plasma MP levels correlate with liver disease severity.
- This study focuses on the clinical significance of ascites MPs in decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical impact of ascites microparticles (MPs) in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.
- To correlate ascites MP levels with clinical parameters and patient outcomes.
- To explore the cellular origin of ascites MPs in relation to patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Collected ascites and blood samples from 163 cirrhosis patients.
- Quantified MPs using two-step ultracentrifugation and flow cytometry.
- Correlated MP levels with baseline parameters and outcomes; analyzed MP cellular origin (neutrophils, lymphocytes) in a subgroup.
Main Results:
- All samples contained MPs; ascites MP levels correlated with blood levels.
- Low ascites MP levels (<488.4 MP/μL) were linked to significantly poorer 30-day survival (71.1% vs. 94.7%).
- Low ascites MP levels, high MELD score, and antibiotic treatment were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality.
Conclusions:
- Ascites MP levels are predictive of short-term survival in decompensated cirrhosis.
- Further research is needed to validate ascites MPs as a disease-specific biomarker and elucidate their mechanisms.
- Low ascites MP levels may indicate immune activation involving neutrophils and lymphocytes.
