Pre and post apheresis platelet CD markers evaluation using flow cytometry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of apheresis procedure on platelet's activation dependent glycoproteins' expression on their surface.

METHODS: This study was conducted between June 2012 and June 2014, and comprised blood and platelet samples. Two samples were collected i.e. venous blood sample and apheresed platelet sample from the same donor. Platelet cluster of differentiation markers (41, 61, 62p and 63) were analysed within 2 hours of sample collection using flow cytometry. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 100 donors were recruited in this study. Cluster of differentiation (CD) markers' expression of 100 pre-apheresis and 100 platelet apheresis samples was compared after the completion of platelet apheresis procedure. CD 41 and 61 showed no significant difference between pre- and post-apheresis platelets; (p=0.447 and 0.712, respectively). CD 62p positivity of pre-apheresis platelets (9.57±5.88%), and post-apheresis platelets (55.57±24.59%) showed statistically highly significant difference (p<0.001). CD 63 expression of pre- and post-apheresis platelets was 14.19±11.84% and 40.77±16.08%, respectively (p=0.04). Moderate correlation existed between post-apheresis platelets' CD 62p and 63 (r=0.62)..

CONCLUSIONS: Platelet CD markers 41 and 61 did not show any change in pre- and post-apheresis samples while expression of 62p and 63 increased during the apheresis.