Platelet Activation and Red Blood Cell Phosphatidylserine Exposure Evaluated by Flow Cytometry in Patients with Behçet’s Disease: Are They Related to Thrombotic Events?

Abstract

Behçet’s disease (BD) is associated with an increased risk of venous and arterial thromboses that are associated with morbidity and mortality increase, although the mechanisms are not well established. In the present study, we used whole blood cytometry to determine the exposure of CD62 on the surface of platelets and the expression of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the surface of circulating red blood cells. Microparticle and microaggregate formation from platelets were also determined in a well-classified group of 72 patients (39 males, 33 females, aged 46.5 ± 12.5 years) with BD, in comparison with a well-matched control group of 72 healthy volunteers. Results showed no differences in the above-mentioned parameters when BD patients and controls were compared. However, when we compared BD patients with/without thrombosis using these parameters, there were significant differences between both groups. BD patients with previous thrombosis had a higher percentage of circulating CD62-positive platelets and a higher number of circulating microaggregates than those without thrombosis, suggesting that platelet activation may be involved in the development of thrombotic events in these patients.

Behçet’s disease: new insight into the relationship between procoagulant state, endothelial activation/damage and disease activity

“…However, we did not find any differences in PTS between the patients and the controls. Although higher platelet activation and response to stimulus have been reported in BD patients [13,32], our research group recently published a study of platelet function in the same group of BD patients included in the present study and found no differences in platelet activation markers between the controls and the BD patients, either at baseline conditions or after stimulation with agonists (TRAP and ADP) [33]. After considering this finding and the lack of differences in PTS and platelet contribution to the ROTEM trace between the groups, we conclude that platelets are not the cause of the deviation in the ROTEM results.…”

A low balance between microparticles expressing tissue factor pathway inhibitor and tissue factor is associated with thrombosis in Behçet’s Syndrome

“…Quantities of plasma MP are known to be increased in BS, but previous studies these have not addressed an association between MP and thrombosis3435. We investigated the hypothesis that numbers of plasma MP expressing TF are increased in BS.…”

The association between P selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 gene variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism and risk of thrombosis in Behçet's disease

“…Another study reported increased plasma P‐selectin levels in clinically active BD patients with thrombosis compared to the group of nonthrombotic patients . Platelet hyper‐reactivity may also contribute to the prothrombotic state in BD, with a higher percentage of circulating CD62‐positive platelets and a higher number of circulating microaggregates in patients with a history of thrombosis …”