Platelet microparticles (PMP) were isolated from outdated platelets by a combination of differential centrifugation and gel filtration, and the concentration of PMP was expressed in the equivalent of GPIIb/IIIa complex measured by captured ELISA. PMP bound to isolated neutrophils and macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, but they did not bind to lymphocytes. Incubation of PMP with neutrophils did not activate these cells as measured by up-regulation of Mac-1, release of human granulocyte elastase, and calcium mobilization. Incubation of PMP with macrophages did not enhance IL-8 production and the oxygen burst but slightly and significantly increased production of MCP-1. After 10 min incubation of PMP with macrophages, an increase of GPIIb/IIIa antigen was observed suggesting that PMP may be endocytosed by macrophages. In conclusion, PMP bind to leukocytes, but, in contrast to activated platelets, do not play a significant role in leukocyte activation.