Fixation with formaldehyde induces expression of activation dependent platelet membrane glycoproteins, P selectin (CD62) and GP53 (CD63).

Platelet activation in vivo is important in the pathogenesis of thrombosis. Accurate measurement is difficult due to artefactual in vitro preparation related activation. This can be overcome by using whole blood techniques, such as flow cytometry. However, there is little consensus on methods of platelet preparation, procedures for use of fixation, or the optimal types/amounts of fixative. The use of unfixed platelets has received little attention. We describe a series of experiments comparing platelet activation antigen expression detected by flow cytometry in fixed and unfixed samples. Formaldehyde increased the expression of both CD62 and CD63. We recommend that fixation with formaldehyde should not be used when studying platelet activation.