Full Length ArticleIncreased circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles in ischemic cerebrovascular disease

- We studied LMPs levels in ischemic stroke patients.
- LMPs acted as new proinflammatory mediators in vascular inflammation.
- Levels of CD14+ LMPs were correlated with stroke severity, cerebral vascular stenosis severity.

ObjectivesCirculating leukocyte-derived microparticles act as proinflammatory mediators that reflect vascular inflammation. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that the quantity of leukocyte-derived microparticles is increased in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and investigated utility of various phenotypes of leukocyte-derived microparticles as specific biomarkers of vascular inflammation injury. Additionally we focused on identifying leukocyte-derived microparticles that may be correlated with stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke patients.MethodsThe plasma concentration of leukocyte-derived microparticles obtained by a series of centrifugations of 76 consecutive patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases and 70 age-, sex-, and race-matched healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry.ResultsSignificantly elevated numbers of leukocyte (CD45 +), monocyte (CD14 +), lymphocyte (CD4 +), granulocyte (CD15 +) derived microparticles were found in the plasma samples of patients ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the plasma levels of CD14 + microparticles were significantly correlated with stroke severity (r = 0.355, p = 0.019), cerebral vascular stenosis severity (r = 0.255, p = 0.025) and stroke subtype (r = 0.242, p = 0.036). No association with stroke was observed for other leukocyte-derived phenotypes.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles amounts are increased in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, compared with healthy controls. As proinflammatory mediators, leukocyte-derived microparticles may contribute to vascular inflammatory and the inflammatory process in acute ischemic stroke. Levels of CD14 + microparticles may be a promising biomarker of ischemic severity and outcome of stroke in the clinic.