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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Analyzing Platelet Subpopulations by Multi-color Flow Cytometry
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Platelet Subpopulations: Characteristics, Function, Clinical Relevance, and Translational Potential

Andrew B Song1, Elisabeth Battinelli1

  • 1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Bartlett Hall Ext 3rd Floor, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institute of Medicine, 4 Blackfan Circle, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|October 29, 2025
PubMed

Beyond playing a role in primary hemostasis, platelets can be characterized by several subpopulations, each with distinct characteristics and contribution to human pathophysiology. Procoagulant platelets, related to aggregatory and apoptotic platelets, contribute to thrombin generation and are implicated in cardiovascular, inflammatory, and oncologic disease. Procoagulant platelets contribute to tumorigenesis, and tumor-educated platelets are promising biomarkers in cancer assessment. Reticulated platelets are associated with high platelet turnover states. Megakaryocyte subpopulations are also being characterized with regards to thrombopoietic, inflammatory, and immunomodulatory roles. This article summarizes the rich diversity seen across numerous platelet subpopulations.

Keywords:
HemostasisMegakaryocytesPlatelet subpopulationsPlateletsProcoagulant plateletsReticulated plateletsThrombosisTumor-educated platelets

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