Microparticles in stored red blood cells: an approach using flow cytometry and proteomic tools

Background and Objectives Microparticles (MPs) are small phospholipid vesicles of less than 1 mu m, shed in blood flow by various cell types. These MPs are involved in several biological processes and diseases. MPs have also been detected in blood products; however, their role in transfused patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize those MPs in blood bank conditions.