Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
Published on: January 6, 2017
Platelet and Monocyte Microvesicles as Potential Biomarkers of COVID-19 Severity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Nastasya Nunki1,2, Yetti Hernaningsih3, Puspa Wardhani3,4,5
1Laboratory Medicine Study Interest, Master Program of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
Insights
Microvesicle (MV) counts, specifically from platelets and monocytes, are elevated in COVID-19 patients. Increased platelet microvesicle levels correlate with COVID-19 severity, suggesting their potential as a biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with inflammation and coagulopathy.
- Platelet and monocyte activation are key features of COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- Activated platelets and monocytes release microvesicles (MVs), which may play a role in disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in platelet microvesicle (PMV) and monocyte microvesicle (MMV) counts across varying COVID-19 severity.
- To determine the correlation between MV counts and D-dimer levels in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 90 COVID-19 patients.
- Analysis of D-dimer levels using SYSMEX CS-2500.
- Quantification of PMVs (CD42b+, CD41a+) and MMVs (CD14+) expressing phosphatidylserine (AnnV+) via flow cytometry (BD FACSCalibur).
Main Results:
- PMV and MMV counts were significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (implied).
- AnnV+ PMVCD42b+ and AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ counts were significantly higher in severe COVID-19 cases compared to moderate cases.
- AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ counts showed a weak positive correlation with D-dimer levels (r=0.258, P=0.047).
Conclusions:
- Platelet microvesicle (PMV) counts, particularly PMVCD42b+ and PMVCD41a+, are significantly increased in patients with severe COVID-19.
- The correlation between PMVCD41a+ counts and D-dimer levels suggests a link to coagulopathy.
- Microvesicle counts represent a potential biomarker for assessing COVID-19 severity.
Background:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) induces inflammation, coagulopathy following platelet and monocyte activation, and fibrinolysis, resulting in elevated D-dimer levels. Activated platelets and monocytes produce microvesicles (MVs). We analyzed the differences in platelet and monocyte MV counts in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19, as well as their correlation with D-dimer levels.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, blood specimens were collected from 90 COVID-19 patients and analyzed for D-dimers using SYSMEX CS-2500. Platelet MVs (PMVs; PMVCD42b+ and PMVCD41a+), monocyte MVs (MMVs; MMVCD14+), and phosphatidylserine-binding annexin V (PS, AnnV+) were analyzed using a BD FACSCalibur instrument.
Results:
PMV and MMV counts were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients. AnnV+ PMVCD42b+ and AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ cell counts were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 than in those with moderate clinical symptoms. The median (range) of AnnV+ PMVCD42b+ (MV/μL) in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 was 1,118.3 (328.1-1,910.5), 937.4 (311.4-2,909.5), and 1,298.8 (458.2-9,703.5), respectively (P =0.009). The median (range) for AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ (MV/μL) in mild, moderate, and severe disease was 885.5 (346.3-1,682.7), 663.5 (233.8-2,081.5), and 1,146.3 (333.3-10,296.6), respectively (P =0.007). D-dimer levels (ng/mL) weak correlated with AnnV+ PMVCD41a+ (P =0.047, r=0.258).
Conclusions:
PMV PMVCD42b+ and PMVCD41a+ counts were significantly increased in patients with severe clinical symptoms, and PMVCD41a+ counts correlated with D-dimer levels. Therefore, MV counts can be used as a potential biomarker of COVID-19 severity.
