Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Sep;22(5):437-44.
doi: 10.1097/MOH.0000000000000166.

The diversity of platelet microparticles

Affiliations
Review

The diversity of platelet microparticles

Eric Boilard et al. Curr Opin Hematol. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Platelet microparticles are small extracellular vesicles abundant in blood. The present review will introduce the mechanisms underlying the generation of microparticles, and will describe the diverse microparticle subtypes identified to date. The most appropriate methodologies used to distinguish microparticle subtypes will be also presented.

Recent findings: Both the megakaryocytes and platelets can generate microparticles. Circulating microparticles originating from megakaryocytes are distinguished from those derived from activated platelets by the presence of CD62P, LAMP-1, and immunoreceptor-based activation motif receptors. Close examination of platelet activation has shed light on a novel mechanism leading to microparticle production. Under physiologic flow, microparticles bud off from long membrane strands formed by activated platelets. Furthermore, mounting evidence supports the notion of microparticle heterogeneity. Platelet microparticles are commonly characterized by the expression of surface platelet antigens and phosphatidylserine. In fact, only a fraction of platelet microparticles harbor phosphatidylserine, and a distinct subset contains respiratory-competent mitochondria. During disease, the microparticle surface may undergo posttranslational modifications such as citrullination, further supporting the concept of microparticle diversity.

Summary: An appreciation of the microparticle heterogeneity will support their development as potential biomarkers and may reveal functions unique to each microparticle subtype in health and disease.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types

Substances