[Microparticles and female issues].
Emerging evidence suggests that circulating, cell-derived microparticles (MP) play a role in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. MP are involved in coagulation, inflammation and transportation. The role of circulating MP in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology has been investigated only recently. Healthy women show menstrual cycle-specific differences in circulating MP which differ significantly from age-matched men. With regard to obstetrics, MP were elevated in subgroups of patients with miscarriage or preeclampsia. Whether MP contribute to the pathogenesis of the diseases themselves is part of ongoing research. Moreover, recent studies indicate MP levels parallel tumor invasiveness in breast cancer patients and show similar sensitivity-specificity profiles than established biomarkers.
Toth
B
B
Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchionistr. 15, 81377 München. bettina.toth@med.uni-muenchen.de
D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; C045071:leukocyte procoagulant activity