Micro-particles and vascular dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnoea

Clinical studies have shown that levels of MPs of various cellular origins, including platelets, endothelial cells and leukocytes, are increased in OSA patients. Figure 1 illustrates the main antigenic epitopes harboured by MPs investigated in OSA patients. Levels of MPs harbouring markers of cellular activation or apoptosis that are known to predict poor cardiovascular outcomes were found to be correlated with OSA severity as well as markers of vascular impairment, and were modified by OSA treatment. As potential biomarkers of vascular dysfunction, MPs could provide a useful tool to predict cardiovascular outcome and monitor treatment response in OSA patients. However, the clinical relevance of MP measurement is currently hampered by methodological concerns. Major discrepancies between studies investigating MPs in OSA patients may be due to the wide heterogeneity in pre-analytical and analytical processes, which need to be standardised.

Experimental data suggest that MPs may contribute to the pathophysiology of OSA-associated vascular impairment by promoting endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and vascular hyper-reactivity (figure 2). Thus, MPs may emerge as a novel biological vector of vascular dysfunction adding another layer of complexity to the already multifaceted mechanisms involved in OSA-associated vascular morbidity. Further studies are required to investigate the pathways through which MPs may impair vascular function in OSA and to determine whether MPs could constitute a novel therapeutic target to improve cardiovascular outcome in OSA.

Microparticles and vascular dysfunction in OSA.pdf

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