Affiliation:
1. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi N° 74, 20157 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Via San Pietro 43, 07100 Sassari, Italy
3. Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
4. Fondazione Mattarelli Largo della Crocetta, N° 2, 20122 Milan, Italy
Abstract
Background: Platelet “Microvesicles” (MVs) are studied for their role in blood coagulation and inflammation. The study aimed to establish if MVs are related to age, plasma levels of inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis markers in healthy individuals. Methods: We prospectively enrolled volunteers aged over 18 years. MVs, plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 10 (IL-10), Interleukin 17 (IL-17), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (VWF), homocysteine, factor VII (FVII), thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), and Protein S were tested. Results: A total of 246 individuals (median age 65 years (“IQR”54–72)) were evaluated. Both univariate analysis and logistic regression models showed that MVs positively correlate with age, CRP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TGF-β, fibrinogen, PAI-1, VWF, FVII, and homocysteine, while inversely correlating with TAFI and Protein S. The ROC curve analysis performed to identify a cut off for MV values (700 kMP) showed a good accuracy with over-range cytokines fibrinolysis factor and coagulation markers. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to correlate MVs with an entire panel of cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals. A future possible role of MVs in screening exams is suggested.
Funder
Progetto Fondazione di Sardegna
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program/Fondazione Con Il Sud
fondo di Ateneo per la ricerca 2020, University of Sassari