Background and purpose: Platelets communicate with different immune cells and can activate B-lymphocytes and induce the production of antibodies from these cells. Platelet microparticles (MPs) originate from platelets and express the surface markers of platelets. This study aimed at investigating the ability of these microvesicles on production of antibodies from B-lymphocytes.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, platelet MPs were isolated from platelet concentrates and B cells were isolated from human whole blood. Then MPs were co-cultured with B-lymphocytes. In different days of culture, the production of IgG antibodies was studied in the supernatants of culture medium using ELISA method. The results were analyzed by paired-samples t-test. P- value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Platelet MPs stimulate the production of antibodies by B-lymphocytes. During 5-day co-culture, significant increase was observed in the production of IgG antibodies in the test samples
(B cells+MPs) compared to the control (B cells in the absence of MPs) (P- value< 0.05).

Conclusion: Platelet MPs can induce IgG production from B cells during in vitro co-culture.