Blood platelet quantification by light scattering: from morphology to activation.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Biophysics
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Preanalytical issues significantly reduce the reliability of routine clinical blood platelet analysis.
• Current hematology analyzers offer limited platelet characterization, excluding shape and dose-dependent activation.
• There is a need for advanced methods to comprehensively analyze platelet function and morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an advanced protocol and analytical method for comprehensive blood platelet analysis.
• To measure a wider range of platelet parameters beyond standard hematology analyzers.
• To assess platelet shape and dose-dependent activation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a scanning flow cytometer for angle-resolved light scattering measurements.
• Employed discrete dipole approximation for optical modeling of platelets (oblate spheroid).
• Implemented DATABASE and DIRECT algorithms for parameter retrieval and developed a novel sampling protocol to minimize spontaneous platelet activation.

Main Results:

• The developed protocol and method enable the determination of 13 content and morphological platelet parameters.
• A phenomenological model was created to analyze platelet shape changes during activation.
• The analysis yielded 8 dose-dependent activation parameters, demonstrating applicability across five donors.

Conclusions:

• This novel approach significantly expands the analytical scope for blood platelets.
• It allows for the determination of 21 distinct parameters related to platelet content, morphology, and dose-dependent activation.
• The findings pave the way for more accurate and detailed clinical diagnostics involving platelets.