Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025
Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Published on: August 4, 2023
MPs-ACT, an Assay to Evaluate the Procoagulant Activity of Microparticles
Yalong Gao1, Xiaotian Li1, Yafei Qin2
1Key Laboratory of Post-Neurotrauma Neurorepair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin Neurological Institute, 117865Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Abstract:
The procoagulant effect of microparticles (MPs) contributes to hypercoagulability-induced thrombosis. We provide preliminary findings of the MPs-Activated Clotting Time (MPs-ACT) assay to determine the procoagulant activity of MPs. MPs-rich plasma was obtained and recalcified. Changes in plasma viscoelasticity were evaluated and the time to the peak viscoelastic changes was defined as the MPs-ACT. MPs concentration was measured by flow cytometry. Coagulation products produced during plasma clotting were identified by fibrin and fibrinopeptide A. MPs were prepared in vitro and added to standard plasma to simulate pathological samples. In addition, reproducibility and sensitivity were evaluated. We confirmed the linear relationship between MPs-ACT and MP concentrations. Dynamic changes in fibrin production were depicted. We simulated the correlation between MPs-ACT and standard plasma containing MPs prepared in vitro. The reproducibility of high-value and low-value samples was 6.0% and 10.8%, respectively. MPs-ACT sensitively detected hypercoagulable samples from patients with pre-eclampsia, hip fractures, and lung tumors. MPs-ACT largely reflects the procoagulant effect of MPs. MPs-ACT sensitively and rapidly detects hypercoagulability with MPs-rich plasma. It may be promising for the diagnosis of hypercoagulable states induced by MPs.
Insights
A new assay, MPs-Activated Clotting Time (MPs-ACT), measures the procoagulant activity of microparticles (MPs). This rapid test effectively detects hypercoagulable states linked to MPs in patient plasma.
Area of Science:
- Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research
- Biomedical Diagnostics
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Microparticles (MPs) significantly contribute to hypercoagulability and thrombosis due to their procoagulant effects.
- Assessing the procoagulant activity of MPs is crucial for understanding thrombosis and developing diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a novel assay, the MPs-Activated Clotting Time (MPs-ACT), for quantifying the procoagulant activity of MPs.
- To evaluate the sensitivity and reproducibility of the MPs-ACT assay in detecting hypercoagulable states.
Main Methods:
- MPs-rich plasma was obtained, recalcified, and changes in viscoelasticity were measured to determine MPs-ACT.
- MP concentration was quantified using flow cytometry, and coagulation products like fibrin were identified.
- In vitro experiments involved adding MPs to standard plasma to simulate pathological conditions.
Main Results:
- A linear correlation was established between MPs-ACT values and MP concentrations.
- The assay demonstrated good reproducibility for both high (6.0%) and low (10.8%) concentration samples.
- MPs-ACT successfully identified hypercoagulable plasma from patients with pre-eclampsia, hip fractures, and lung tumors.
Conclusions:
- The MPs-ACT assay accurately reflects the procoagulant effect of MPs.
- MPs-ACT offers a sensitive and rapid method for detecting hypercoagulability in MP-rich plasma.
- This assay shows promise as a diagnostic tool for MP-induced hypercoagulable states.
