Phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of red blood cells from β‐thalassemia patients may explain the chronic hypercoagulable state and thrombotic episodes

Abstract

Investigation of red blood cells from beta-thalassemia patients by means of prothrombinase assay reveals phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. This might explain their elevated susceptibility to phagocytosis by macrophages and the chronic hypercoagulable state, frequent thrombotic events, and life-long platelet activation that are found in thalassemic patients.