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Table 1 Different methods for MPs measurement

From: Microparticles in kidney diseases: focus on kidney transplantation

Assay

Method

Advantages

Disadvantages

â–  Flow cytometry

â–  (fluorescence-activated cell sorting)

✓ MP counting

â–  Utilization of fluorescence probes and light-scattering properties

â–  MPs in suspension

â–  Available to most research facilities

â–  Rapid

â–  Multiple antigens may be analyzed in a single sample

â–  MPs analyzed on an individual basis

â–  The gold standard of human cell-derived MPs

â–  Antibody binding might not occur attributable to the small fraction of surface antigens available

â–  Size limitations and not able to detect microvesicles with diameters less than 300–400 nm

â–  Immunoassays

â–  ELISA-based MP capture assays by annexin V as a means of capturing phospholipids or antibodies to specific blood MP membrane antigens or antibodies to nonspecific antigens (detection antibody)

â–  Available at most research institutions

â–  Alternative to flow cytometry approach

â–  Less costly than flow cytometry

â–  Not restricted by size

â–  Analysis done in batches

â–  No size determination possible

â–  Quantifies based on a single antigen

â–  Functional assays

â–  Procoagulant or prothrombinase activity

â–  Available at most research institutions

â–  Provides an indication of biological activity

â–  The inability to quantitate the MPs

■ Analysis done in batches, no size determination possible, measures procoagulant activity—not specific MP detection

â–  Atomic force microscopy

â–  Scanning of MPs utilizing specialized microscope

â–  MP size detection very accurate

â–  Allows for 3D structure of MP

â–  Quantitation of MPs

â–  Allows for very accurate sizing of MPs

â–  Allows for 3D view of MP structure

â–  May be used for quantification

â–  Nanoparticle tracking

â–  Light-scattering properties of MPs detected, video capture of MP motion

â–  MP size detection, quantitation of MPs

â–  Technology not readily available, long analysis times, costly

  1. Elisa enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, MPs microparticles