Toward the Relevance of Platelet Subpopulations for Transfusion Medicine

Abstract

Circulating platelets consist of subpopulations with different age, maturation state and size. In this review, we address the association between platelet size and platelet function and summarize the current knowledge on platelet subpopulations including reticulated platelets, procoagulant platelets and platelets exposing signals to mediate their clearance. Thereby, we emphasize the impact of platelet turnover as an important condition for platelet production in vivo. Understanding of the features that characterize platelet subpopulations is very relevant for the methods of platelet concentrate production, which may enrich or deplete particular platelet subpopulations. Moreover, the concept of platelet size being associated with platelet function may be attractive for transfusion medicine as it holds the perspective to separate platelet subpopulations with specific functional capabilities.

Romiplostim (Nplate®) as an effective radiation countermeasure to improve survival and platelet recovery in mice

“…Increases in platelet size are also seen in disease-states associated with increased platelet turnover (e.g. in patients with immune thrombocytopenia, recovering after chemotherapy, or with severe arterial disease) (Handtke et al 2018). Thus, the quicker increase in MPV following romiplostim administration in irradiated mice compared with irradiated control mice is supporting evidence that romiplostim is acting similarly in irradiated and non-irradiated mice to speed up the release of platelets from the bone marrow into circulation.…”

Generation of procoagulant collagen‐ and thrombin‐activated platelets in platelet concentrates derived from buffy coat: the role of processing, pathogen inactivation, and storage

“…The PLTs studied here were derived from buffy coat after whole blood collection. This preparation differs from the apheresis collection and might probably influence the cells . Even though the PLT size is similar between these two methods, the buffy coat method enriches a specific population of PLTs .…”

“…This preparation differs from the apheresis collection and might probably influence the cells . Even though the PLT size is similar between these two methods, the buffy coat method enriches a specific population of PLTs . This might explain the differences observed in apheresis PLTs where Charania and coworkers reported a 17% decrease of COAT level.…”

Tumor-Educated Platelets as a Noninvasive Biomarker Source for Cancer Detection and Progression Monitoring

“…Toward the end of their lifespan, they will become desialylated urging the liver via the Ashwell-Morell receptor to produce thrombopoietin to stimulate subsequent production of new platelets. This process mediates the continuous cycle of platelet generation and breakdown, resulting in multiple platelet subpopulations such as reticulated platelets, procoagulant or 'coated' platelets, and 'old' platelets, in blood (32). As each subpopulation has its particular content, effect, and expected remaining life span, this process is of particular interest for the research of platelets for transfusion medicine, and perhaps also cancer.…”