Elevated circulating endothelial membrane microparticles in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

SummaryWe analysed endothelial cell membrane microparticles (ECMP) in theperipheral blood of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria(PNH) (n ¼ 9), aplastic anaemia (AA) (n ¼ 10), sickle cell disease (SCD)(n ¼ 8), and healthy donors (HD) (n ¼ 11). There was no clinicallymanifested thrombosis in the PNH or AA group, except one curedthrombophlebitis (PNH), while all SCD patients had a history of vaso-occlusive crises. We used three-colour flow cytometry with blood cell-specificantibodies and antibodies to endothelial antigens CD105 and CD144.Phosphatidylserine-positive microparticles were detected using the annexinV-binding (AVB) assay. The population of CD105+AVB+ ECMP wassignificantly (P