Role of microparticles in thrombotic diseases

Circulating microparticles (MPs) derive from a variety of cells, including platelets, leukocytes, endothelial cells and erythrocytes.In addition, tumor cells release MPs into blood. MPs are formed as a result of membrane lipid remodeling and proteolytic cleavage of cytoskeleton.Exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) and tissue factor (TF) provide a surface for the assembly of Xase and prothrombianse to activate coagulation and induce thrombosis.Considerable levels of platelet-derived PS+ MPs are detected in healthy subjects.However, the level of PS+ and TF+ MPs, the latter of which predominantly derived from monocytes, greatly increased in thrombotic diseases, such as sepsis, cancer, and myocardial infarction.Therefore, MPs could be a useful biomarker for the evaluation of thrombosis risk.(Chin J Lab Med, 2014,37：166-169) Key words: Microparticles; Phosphatidylserines; Thrombosis; Biological markers