title: A rapid flow cytometric technique for the detection of platelet-monocyte complexes, activated platelets and platelet-derived microparticles.
abstract: Platelet activation occurs in a variety of clinical situations in which it directly contributes to the pathology. This study reports a simple flow cytometric assay for platelet activation which measures platelet-derived microparticles, activated platelets and platelet-monocyte complexes. Pre- and post analytical conditions were investigated and optimized and a normal range established on 20 healthy controls. Twenty patients pre- and post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were tested with the technique. Soluble activation markers sCD40 ligand and sP-selectin and plasma phospholipid levels were measured in both groups. There was a significant increase in activated platelets and platelet-monocyte complexes between normal and pre-PCI (P = 0.005 and 0.0275, respectively) suggesting an activated state. There was a significant fall in activated platelets post-PCI (P = 0.0027) which was mirrored by a fall in soluble CD40 ligand, soluble P-selectin and plasma phospholipid levels (P = 0.0066, <0.0001 and 0.0032, respectively) consistent with antiplatelet therapy administered during the process. This is a reliable and rapid method for the assessment of ex vivo platelet activation which may be an aid in diagnosis and help guide therapy for patients with thrombotic disease.
authors.affiliation: Haematology Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thom
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oostryck
authors.forename: Rom
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010976:Platelet Count; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D019007:P-Selectin; D010743:Phospholipids; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D003094:Collagen