Method for a rapid antibody-based analysis of platelet populations

A kit for identifying a platelet population in a biological sample comprising:

• (a) at least one labeled platelet-specific ligand, wherein said at least one labeled platelet-specific ligand binds to an epitope, antigen, or receptor expressed exclusively on platelets from a platelet population, but not expressed on red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelial cells or endothelial cells;
• (b) a nucleic acid dye;
• and
• (c) at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand, wherein said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand binds to an epitope, antigen or receptor expressed on both platelets from a platelet population and cells from at least one additional different non-platelet cell population.

A method for identifying a population of immature, reticulated platelets in a biological sample comprising:

• (a) incubating said biological sample for less than 5 minutes with a nucleic acid dye and at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand, wherein said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand binds to an epitope, antigen or receptor expressed on both platelets from a platelet population and cells from at least one additional different, non-platelet cell population in said biological sample, wherein said nucleic acid dye and said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand emit fluorescence, and wherein the incubation step is performed under conditions that allow said nucleic acid dye to permeate into the cell and allow said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand to bind to said epitope, antigen or receptor in less than 5 minutes;
• (b) passing said biological sample through a sensing region of a flow cytometer, wherein said biological sample is irradiated with a laser light source, and measuring said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand fluorescence and said nucleic acid dye fluorescence and at least one other parameter selected independently from the group consisting of light scatter, direct current, axial light loss, opacity, and radio frequency;
• and
• (c) detecting or quantifying data generated from said measurements from said nucleic acid dye, said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand, and said at least one additional parameter, wherein detecting or quantifying data generated from said measurements is based upon identifying a population of platelets using said at least one labeled anti-platelet ligand fluorescence and said additional parameter and gating on said identified population of platelets using said nucleic acid dye fluorescence and an additional parameter, thereby differentiating or identifying said immature, reticulated platelet population in said biological sample.