Platelet Microparticles Regulate Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Acute Pancreatitis

Objective This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of the increase of platelet microparticles (PMPs) in acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Clinical data and plasma samples from patients with AP were collected, and healthy subjects were controls. The PMPs were detected by flow cytometry; meanwhile, the ability to promote neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation was investigated. Neutrophils from healthy subjects were co-cultured with PMPs from AP patients. The NETs were visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the supernatant of cell co-culture, myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, and histone H3 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Patients with AP had elevated plasma levels of PMPs compared with controls; moreover, there were significantly higher PMPs levels in severe AP than mild AP and moderately severe AP. Healthy subjects' neutrophils were stimulated with PMPs from AP patients to release NETs. It was observed that NETs formed in AP group, but not in the controls. Correspondingly, there were higher levels of myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, and histone H3 in AP group than in controls. Conclusions The level of PMPs is a positive correlation with AP severity, which may be related to PMPs-NETs interaction. Platelet microparticles may be a potential predictor of severe AP and promising novel therapeutic target for AP.