Semin Thromb Hemost 2014; 40(01): 088-098
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363472
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cytofluorimetric Platelet Analysis

Cecilia Carubbi
1   Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy
*   These authors contributed equally to this work.
,
Elena Masselli
1   Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy
*   These authors contributed equally to this work.
,
Marco Gesi
2   Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
,
Daniela Galli
1   Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy
,
Prisco Mirandola
1   Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy
,
Marco Vitale
1   Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy
,
Giuliana Gobbi
1   Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), Anatomy and Histology Unit, University of Parma, Ospedale Maggiore, Parma, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2013 (online)

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.

 
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