Platelet function suggests cardioembolic aetiology in cryptogenic stroke

Figures

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  Figure 1. Detection of platelet-monocyte and platelet-neutrophil aggregates in circulation: (A,B) flow cytometric analysis of monocyte-platelet and neutrophil-platelet aggregates, respectively, in whole blood stained with platelet-specific marker, anti-CD41a-APC and neutrophil/monocyte-specific marker, anti-CD14-FITC. Samples were obtained from control and different stroke groups as indicated. Amorphous gates were drawn for monocyte (high fluorescence and low SSC) and neutrophil (low fluorescence and high SSC) populations. Numbers in right upper quadrant represent percent of aggregates. (C,D) corresponding scatter plot bar diagrams representing mean percent of PMA and PNA, respectively Data are represented as mean ± SEM of at least 16 different experiments. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 and ****p < 0.0001. ns non-significant.

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  Figure 2. Exposure of P-selectin on surface of unstimulated platelets: (A) flow cytometric analysis of binding of PE-anti-P-selectin antibody to surface of unstimulated platelets from different stroke groups as indicated. (B) Corresponding scatter plot bar diagram representing mean fluorescence intensity. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of at least 16 different experiments. *p < 0.05 and *** p < 0.001. ns non-significant.

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  Figure 3. Determination of platelet population with raised intracellular calcium: (A–C) Flow cytometry of Fluo-4-labeled platelets representing cell population with high fluorescence intensity in control (n = 18), cryptogenic (n = 16) and cardioembolic stroke (n = 16) groups, respectively. (D) Scatter plot bar diagram representing mean fluorescence intensity over 1.5 min of a population before TRAP addition. (E) Scatter plot bar diagram representing mean fluorescence intensity over 1.5 min of a population after TRAP addition. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of at least 16 different experiments. *p < 0.05. ns non-significant.

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  Figure 4. Determination of hypercoagulability and thrombus stability: (A) representative thromboelastogram of kaolin-stimulated citrated whole blood obtained from healthy controls, cryptogenic and cardioembolic stroke patients, as indicated. (B–D) Corresponding scatter plot bar diagrams representing Reaction Time (R), Clot Kinetics (K) and α-Angle, respectively, from 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients from each stroke group. Data are represented as mean ± SEM of at least 10 different experiments. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01. ns non-significant.