Circulating microparticles reflect treatment effects and clinical status in multiple sclerosis

Aim: To evaluate whether circulating microparticles (MPs) derived from three cell subtypes (platelets, total leukocytes or monocytes) obtained from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were modulated depending on the clinical status and to investigate the effect of treatments on MP levels. Patients & methods: The MP counts were assessed with flow cytometry. Results: The platelet-derived MP level was higher in untreated MS patients than controls. Relapsing-remitting patients showed the highest levels in the three subtypes of MP while secondary progressive patients presented similar levels to those of healthy controls. Treatments had significant effects increasing the three subtypes of MP counts. Conclusion: We suggest that MPs play a role in MS pathogenesis, reflecting disease status with an increment of their shedding during inflammatory periods and turning to baseline during chronic progressive degeneration.