Phosphatidylserine positive microparticles improve hemostasis in in-vitro hemophilia A plasma models

Circulating microparticles (MPs) are procoagulant due to the surface containing phosphatidylserine (PS), which facilitates coagulation. We investigated if MPs improve hemostasis in HA plasma models. MPs isolated from pooled normal human plasma were added to severe, moderate and mild HA plasma models (0%, 2.5%, 20% FVIII). The MPs’ effect on hemostasis was evaluated by calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) and overall hemostasis potential (OHP) assays, while fibrin structure was imaged by standard confocal, stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MPs partially restored thrombin generation and fibrin formation in all HA plasma models. The procoagulant effect of MPs requires PS exposure, to a less extent of contact pathway activation, but not tissue factor exposure or in vitro stimulation of MPs. MPs partially normalized the fibrin structure, and using super-resolution STED, MPs attached to fibrin were clearly resolved. In summary, our results demonstrate that PS positive MPs could improve hemostasis in HA plasma models.