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A letter to the editor is presented regarding increased level of endothelial-derived and small-size platelet-derived microparticles in psoriasis.

Studies the role of dendritic cells (DC) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Potential sources of tolerogenic dendritic cells; Characterization of DC subsets; Interaction of mature DC with infused donor T cells; Modulation of allo-immune responses; Correlation between the host DC and occurrence of graft versus host disease.

Microparticles (MPs) are known to be increased in various malignancies and are involved in tumor invasion, angiogenesis, coagulation, and metastasis. We investigated the plasma levels of annexin-V MPs (AV+MPs), platelet-derived MPs (PMPs), and endothelial-derived MPs (EMPs) in patients with melanoma (n=129) and in healthy controls (n=49). A functional coagulation test STA Procoag-PPL measuring the clotting time was performed on samples containing MPs to evaluate their procoagulant potential. The plasma levels of PMPs, EMPs, and AV+MPs were significantly higher, and the clotting time-PPL was significantly lower in melanoma patients than in healthy controls. The plasma levels of PMPs, EMPs, and AV+MPs were higher in stage IV than in the other stages of melanoma, but with no significant difference. In addition, we observed an inverse correlation between PMPs, AV+MPs, and clotting times. Our data suggest that MPs are involved in the progression of melanoma and may be associated to melanoma-associated thrombogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submicron-sized extra-cellular vesicles generated by budding from the external cell membranes, microparticles (MPs) are important actors in transfusion as well as in other medical specialties. After briefly positioning their role in the characterization of labile blood products, this technically oriented chapter aims to review practical points that need to be considered when trying to use flow cytometry for the analysis, characterization and absolute counting of MP subsets. Subjects of active discussions relative to instrumentation will include the choice of the trigger parameter, possible standardization approaches requiring instrument quality-control, origin and control of non-specific background and of coincidence artifacts, choice of the type of electronic signals, optimal sheath fluid and sample speed. Questions related to reagents will cover target antigens and receptors, multi-color reagents, negative controls, enumeration of MPs and limiting artifacts due to unexpected (micro-) coagulation of plasma samples. Newly detected problems are generating innovative solutions and flow cytometry will continue to remain the technology of choice for the analysis of MPs, in the domain of transfusion as well as in many diverse specialties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] GALIG is a cell death-related gene nested within the human galectin-3 locus. [•] GALIG pro-apoptotic function is counteracted by the anti-apoptotic Mcl-1. [•] During spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis, GALIG mRNAs are up-regulated. [•] In Acute Myeloid Leukemia cell samples, GALIG mRNAs are highly down-regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]