PADGEM GMP-140 EXPRESSION ON PLATELET MEMBRANES FROM HOMOZYGOUS BETA-THALASSEMIC PATIENTS

Thromboembolic events. which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, occur in beta-thalassaemia. We studied the expression of the platelet selectin PADGEM/GMP-140 on intact cells from thalassae mic patients, as a marker of in vivo platelet activation. The mean of positive cells (%) was 38.143 +/- 20.65 in the patients versus 5.048 /- 1.8 in the controls, n = 2.1, P < 0.001. No correlation was found b etween GMP-140 expression and splenectomy, platelet counts, plasma fer ritin and natural coagulation inhibitors. Instead an indirect correlat ion was found between GMP-140 expression and HDL-cholesterol. Moreover platelet activation was directly correlated with pre-beta lipoprotein s. Our data indicate that thalassaemic patients present an in vivo pla telet activation, which possibly depends on the dyslipidaemia, which i s now regarded as a frequent feature of this disease.