Platelet-leukocyte interaction and platelet activation in migraine: a link to ischemic stroke?
OBJECTIVE
Migraine has been identified as an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Both neurogenic inflammation and platelet activation have been linked to the pathophysiology of migraine. Increased platelet activation results in up-regulation of specific binding to leukocytes which promotes pro-inflammatory leukocyte secretion and their tethering to endothelium, a mechanism that has been demonstrated in stroke and which could provide a link to migraine. We aimed to determine whether platelet-leukocyte aggregation is increased in migraine patients outside an acute attack.


METHODS
Seventy two patients with migraine according to IHS criteria were compared to a control group (n = 72). Whole blood flow cytometry was used to quantify the activation dependent P selectin on the platelet, and to assess the fraction of platelets bound to the different leukocyte subsets.


RESULTS
Migraine patients showed significantly more platelet-leukocyte aggregates compared to the control subjects (p = 0.003). This effect was driven by an increased polymorphonuclear cell-platelet aggregation (p = 0.003) whereas platelet aggregation with monocytes and lymphocytes was not. Platelet activation was also increased (p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In migraine pro-inflammatory platelet adhesion to leukocytes occurs during the headache free interval similar to that seen in acute coronary and cerebrovascular syndromes. This may suggest a link between migraine and stroke on a cellular level.
Zeller
J A
JA
Department of Neurology, Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany. j.zeller@neurologie.uni-kiel.de
Frahm
K
K
Baron
R
R
Stingele
R
R
Deuschl
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000378:metabolism; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D039661:Integrin beta3; D019007:P-Selectin; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens