Analysis of platelet function and establishment of assays for dysregulations
Platelets are crucial components in the regulation of hemostasis, inflammation and mediating coagulation through exocytosis of secretory granules. Dysregulations in platelet function are associated with severe malignancies, such as Bernard-Soulier syndrome and Glanzmann thrombasthenia, which can be diagnosed using standard hemostaseological parameters and flow cytometry.
However, defects in granule function, particularly storage pool diseases affecting the uptake, storage and release of ADP, necessary for adequate platelet activation and coagulation remain challenging, as affected patients often display normal to moderate bleeding diathesis.
The aim of this study is to expand existing flow cytometric diagnostics of platelet defects in terms of storage pool diseases. We therefore established a novel ADP-release assay, quantitating the release of ADP from δ-granules after TRAP-6 stimulation via bioluminescence.
