Plasma platelet-derived microparticles in patients with connective tissue diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the role of platelet-derived microparticles (PDMP), which are small vesicles with thrombotic and immunological properties, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), dermatomyositis/polymyositis (PM/DM), and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).


METHODS
Plasma levels of PDMP were measured by ELISA, and compared among patients with one of the 4 diseases. Association of PDMP levels with clinical characteristics and medication of the patients was also examined.


RESULTS
PDMP levels were higher in patients with MCTD and SSc than in controls. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) showed higher PDMP levels than those without. PDMP levels in individual patients did not fluctuate significantly over several months.


CONCLUSIONS
PDMP level is associated with MCTD, SSc, and RP, and could be a novel marker for RP.
Department of Clinical Pathology and Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, 650-0017, Kobe, Japan.
Chinami
C
Oyabu
Akio
A
Morinobu
Daisuke
D
Sugiyama
Jun
J
Saegusa
Shino
S
Tanaka
Sahoko
S
Morinobu
Goh
G
Tsuji
Shimpei
S
Kasagi
Seiji
S
Kawano
Shunichi
S
Kumagai
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism*; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000097:blood; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000097:blood; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000097:blood; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood