Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Treatment of Platelet Products with Riboflavin and UV Light: Effectiveness Against High Titer Bacterial Contamination
Published on: August 24, 2015
Are cytokines in platelet concentrates responsible for febrile transfusion reactions?
M Wadhwa1, J Seghatchian, R Thorpe
1Division of Immunobiology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Herts., U.K.
Abstract:
In recent years, several studies have identified the leukocyte content and the age of the blood components as dominant factors in febrile transfusion reactions (FTRs). At present, extensive efforts are being made to reduce adverse effects by implementation and/or introduction of new methods for leuko-depletion of blood components and by studying the mechanisms responsible for these phenomena. A recent approach has been the evaluation of cytokines in platelet concentrates and this issue has been addressed with some detail in this review. Comparative data currently available on levels of cytokines in the different platelet concentrates is provided along with the functional role of the detected cytokines in including adverse reactions.
Related Concept Videos
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Introduction to Hemostasis
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized, and...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...

