A study on Platelet-derived Microparticles Assessment of CD41and CD62P using Flowcytometry Technique in Hb E/β¬thalassemia Patients

Aim (Background): Hemoglobin E­beta thalassemia (Hb E/β­thalassemia) is one of many types of heterogeneous groups of thalassemia and responsible for approximately 50 percent of all severe cases. Importantly, these patients were observed to suffer from either obvious or conspicuous thromboembolic events (TEE) attributed to the hemostatic anomalies which are known to correlate with platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs). The aim of this study was to measure the level of PMPs (CD41 and CD62P) in platelet poor plasma (PRP) from Hb E/β­thalassemia patients and control subjects. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on two groups including HbE/β­thalassemia (n = 25) who were compared with age- and sex-matched normal controls (n = 25). A modified flowcytometry protocol was used to asses PMPs in both groups. Results: A higher level of PMPs-positive CD41 (1163±265 event/µl versus 952±343 event/µl, p˂0.019), CD62P (1062±320 event/µl versus 820±256 event/µl, p˂0.005), and CD41-CD62P (1073±304 event/µl versus 862±278 event/µl, p˂0.014) in Hb E/β­thalassemia, and control respectively. The level of Annexin-V positive PMPs was significantly higher in Hb E/β­thalassemia compared to the control group (1949±404 event/µl, and 1609±545 event/µl) respectively. There was a strong direct association between A-V with PMPs-positive CD41 (r=.993, p ˂0.01), and A-V with PMPs-positive CD62P (r=.703, p ˂0.01) in Hb E/β­thalassemia. Conclusion: PMPs concentrations are significantly higher in Hb E/β­thalassemia compared to control group. Future studies are required and it is unknown yet whether the PMPs may function as biomarkers or serve an important role in vivo biological activity that contributes to TEE in thalassemia.