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Assessment of neonatal platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation
Author(s) -
BakerGroberg S. M.,
Lattimore S.,
Recht M.,
McCarty O. J. T.,
Haley K. M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1111/jth.13270
Subject(s) - platelet , platelet activation , p selectin , population , medicine , platelet adhesiveness , immunology , platelet membrane glycoprotein , mean platelet volume , thrombin , endocrinology , platelet aggregation , environmental health
Essentials Assays are needed to aid in the diagnosis of platelet dysfunction in the neonatal population. We developed small‐volume assays to assess neonatal platelet activation and aggregation. Compared to adult platelets, neonatal platelet activation and secretion was reduced. The extent of neonatal and adult platelet adhesion and aggregate formation were similar.Summary Background Acquired and inherited bleeding disorders may present in the neonatal period with devastating lifelong effects. Diagnosing bleeding disorders in the neonatal population could aid in preventing and treating the associated complications. However, currently available platelet function testing is limited in neonates, owing to difficulties in obtaining an adequate blood volume, a lack of normal reference ranges, and an incomplete understanding of the neonatal platelet functional phenotype. Objective To develop small‐volume, whole blood platelet function assays in order to quantify and compare neonatal and adult platelet function. Methods and Results Peripheral blood was obtained from healthy, full‐term neonates at 24 h of life. Platelet activation, secretion and aggregation were measured via flow cytometry. Platelet adhesion and aggregation were assessed under static and flow conditions. As compared with adult platelets, peripheral neonatal platelet P‐selectin expression and integrin glycoprotein II b III a activation were significantly reduced in response to the G‐protein‐coupled receptor ( GPCR ) agonists thrombin receptor activator peptide‐6 ( TRAP ‐6), ADP , and U46619, and the immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motif ( ITAM ) signaling pathway agonists collagen‐related peptide ( CRP ) and rhodocytin. Neonatal platelet aggregation was markedly reduced in response to TRAP ‐6, ADP , U46619, CRP and rhodocytin as compared with adult platelets. The extents of neonatal and adult platelet adhesion and aggregate formation under static and shear conditions on collagen and von Willebrand factor were similar. Conclusions As compared with adult platelets, we found that neonatal platelet activation and secretion were blunted in response to GPCR or ITAM agonists, whereas the extent of neonatal platelet adhesion and aggregate formation was similar to that of adult platelets.