Increased circulating platelet microparticles as a potential biomarker in asthma.

Duarte, D; Taveira-Gomes, T; Sokhatska, O; Palmares, C; Costa, R; Negrão, R; Guimarães, J T; Delgado, L et al. · Allergy · 2013

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

Endothelial (EMPs) and platelet microparticles (PMPs) have been studied as biomarkers in several inflammatory diseases and as central players in intercellular communication. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess microparticle levels in asthma. Circulating microparticles and inflammatory and angiogenic markers were assessed by clinical and laboratorial evaluation, flow cytometry, and immunoassays, in a group of 20 asthmatic and 15 nonasthmatic subjects. Circulating levels of PMPs (either CD31+/42b+ or CD31+/42b+/AnV+) were significantly increased in asthmatics (P = 0.021) even after adjustment for confounders. Apoptotic EMPs (CD31+/42b--/AnV+) were significantly increased before (P = 0.005) but not after adjustments (P = 0.117). We propose that PMPs may be putative asthma biomarkers, playing a role in asthma pathophysiology.

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