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. 2012 Oct;39(5):342-7.
doi: 10.1159/000342228. Epub 2012 Aug 27.

Red blood cell microparticles: clinical relevance

Olivier Rubin  1 , Giorgia Canellini, Julien Delobel, Niels Lion, Jean-Daniel Tissot
Affiliations

Red blood cell microparticles: clinical relevance

Olivier Rubin et al. Transfus Med Hemother. 2012 Oct.

Abstract
in English, German

Microparticles are small phospholipid vesicles of less than 1 µm released into the blood flow by various types of cells such as endothelial, platelet, white or red blood cells. They are involved in many biological and physiological processes including hemostasis. In addition, an elevated number of microparticles in the blood is observed in various pathological situations. In the context of transfusion, erythrocyte-derived microparticles are found in red blood cell concentrates. Their role is not elucidated, and they are considered as a type of storage lesion. The purpose of this review is to present recent data showing that erythrocyte-derived microparticles most likely play a role in transfusion medicine and could cause transfusion complications.

Mikropartikel sind kleine (<1 μm) Phospholipid-Vesikel, die von verschiedenartigen Zellen wie Endothelzellen, Thrombozyten sowie weißen und roten Blutkörperchen in den Blutstrom entlassen werden. Sie sind an vielen biologischen und physiologischen Prozessen einschließlich der Hämostase beteiligt. Des Weiteren wird eine erhöhte Anzahl an Mikropartikeln im Blut in verschiedenen pathologischen Situationen beobachtet. Im Zusammenhang mit Transfusionen sind von Erythrozyten abstammende Mikropartikel in Erythrozytenkonzentraten anzutreffen. Ihre Rolle ist ungeklärt, und sie werden als Lagerungsschaden betrachtet. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist die Präsentation jüngster Daten, die zeigen, dass von Erythrozyten stammende Mikropartikel höchstwahrscheinlich eine Rolle in der Transfusionsmedizin spielen und zu Komplikationen führen können.

Keywords: Ageing; Microparticles; Red blood cell concentrates; Red blood cells; Transfusion.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Model of formation of microparticles. A Phospholipid organization is under the control of 3 enzymes: flippase, floppase, and scramblase. In resting cells, flippase internalizes negatively charged phospholipids and maintains the asymmetry of the phospholipid bilayer. Floppase and scramblase are inactive, and the cytoplasm calcium concentration is low. B Upon activation, intracellular calcium concentration increases, flippase is inhibited, while floppase and scramblase are activated. Floppase externalizes phosphatidylserine, a negative phospholipid, and scramblase translocates phospholipids non-specifically through the membrane resulting in the loss of phospholipid asymmetry. C Increased intracellular calcium also activates proteases that cleave the cytoskeleton; the membrane is less rigid and can bleb until formation and release of vesicles.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Observation of erythrocyte-derived microparticles by electron microscopy (magnification x22,000).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Prothrombin time (PT) in relation to the amount of erythrocyte microparticles (EMPs) added to the assay. The more EMPs were added, the shorter the PT. EMPs were isolated from erythrocyte concentrates, and different amounts were added to citrated plasma. Calcium was added to start the reaction (but no tissue factor or thromboplastin). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation of 5 independent measurements.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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