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Updated: May 12, 2026
LC-MS Analysis of Human Platelets as a Platform for Studying Mitochondrial Metabolism
Published on: April 4, 2016
Assessing mitochondrial function and protein composition in platelet-derived extracellular vesicles
Vanessa Veilleux1,2,3, Nicolas Pichaud1,2, Gilles A Robichaud1,2,3
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Abstract:
Platelets, traditionally known for their role in hemostasis, also contribute to inflammation, cancer, and intercellular communication through the release of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (or platelet-derived microparticles; PMPs). Among these vesicles, a subpopulation containing functional mitochondria, known as mitoMPs, can be transferred to recipient cells, thereby modulating their metabolism and biological responses. This mitochondrial transfer plays a key role in various pathological processes, where it may either restore metabolic functions or enhance cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metabolic plasticity. In this study, we developed a permeabilization protocol combined with high-resolution respirometry to assess mitochondrial respiration in both platelets and PMPs. First, we found that saponin was a more effective permeabilizing agent than digitonin to measure mitochondrial respiration in these models. Moreover, our analysis revealed distinct respiratory profiles between platelets and PMPs and demonstrated that freeze-thaw cycles severely compromise mitochondrial functions in PMPs. Additionally, we performed proteomic profiling of PMPs to characterize their protein cargo, which associate with specific molecular pathways, particularly those associated with mitochondrial metabolism. These results provide novel insights into the biological functions of PMPs and their potential involvement in disease processes. Together, these findings advance the understanding of PMP-mediated mitochondrial transfer and intercellular communication and establish a foundation for future biomedical and therapeutic investigations.
Insights
Platelets release microparticles (PMPs) containing mitochondria that transfer to cells, impacting metabolism and disease. This study optimized methods to study mitochondrial function in PMPs, revealing their distinct respiratory profiles and sensitivity to storage.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Extracellular Vesicles
Background:
- Platelets are known for hemostasis but also mediate inflammation, cancer, and communication via platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs).
- A subset of PMPs, mitoMPs, contain functional mitochondria and can transfer to recipient cells, influencing their metabolism and biological functions.
- Mitochondrial transfer via mitoMPs is implicated in pathological processes, potentially restoring metabolic function or promoting cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a protocol for assessing mitochondrial respiration in platelets and PMPs.
- To characterize the distinct respiratory profiles of mitochondria within platelets versus PMPs.
- To investigate the impact of storage conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles, on PMP mitochondrial function.
Main Methods:
- Development of a permeabilization protocol using saponin or digitonin for high-resolution respirometry.
- Assessment of mitochondrial respiration in isolated platelets and PMPs.
- Proteomic profiling of PMPs to identify associated molecular pathways and protein cargo.
Main Results:
- Saponin proved more effective than digitonin for permeabilization in the context of platelet and PMP mitochondrial respiration analysis.
- Distinct respiratory profiles were observed between mitochondria in platelets and PMPs.
- Freeze-thaw cycles were found to significantly impair mitochondrial function in PMPs.
- Proteomic analysis of PMPs revealed enrichment of proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolism.
Conclusions:
- The study established a robust method for analyzing mitochondrial respiration in platelets and PMPs.
- MitoMPs possess unique mitochondrial respiratory characteristics and are vulnerable to damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
- These findings enhance understanding of PMP-mediated mitochondrial transfer, intercellular communication, and their role in disease pathogenesis.
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