title: Cytofluorimetric platelet analysis.
abstract: Blood platelets are highly specialized cells that drive hemostatic events and tissue repair mechanisms at the site of vascular injury. Their peculiar morphology and certain functional characteristics can be analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Specifically, platelet activation, a hallmark of prothrombotic states and inflammatory conditions, is associated with changes in expression of both surface and intracellular antigens that are recognized by specific monoclonal antibodies. Assessment of platelet activation status as ex vivo or in vitro reactivity to specific agonists has become relevant in particular conditions (namely, cardiovascular diseases, hematological malignancies, monitoring of pharmacological antiaggregation). In addition, aberrant surface marker expression that characterizes inherited and acquired platelet function disorders is also detected by FCM. This review discusses the main applications of FCM in platelet analyses, which are relevant for both research and clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carubbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Prisco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirandola
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gobbi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D010925:Placental Function Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet