Circulating microparticles: challenges and perspectives of flow cytometric assessment

Abstract

SummaryCirculating blood microparticles are likely to play a significant role as messengers of biological information. Their accurate quantification and characterisation is challenging and needs to be carefully designed with preferable usage of fresh minimally-processed blood samples. Utilisation of flow cytometers specifically designed for analysis of small-size particles is likely to provide considerable methodological advantages and should be the preferable option. This viewpoint manuscript provides a critical summary of the key methodological aspects of microparticle analysis.Note: The review process for this viewpoint article was fully handled by Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.