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Apoptotic markers are increased in platelets stored at 37 degrees C.
1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Transfusion
|June 26, 2003
Summary
Platelets (PLTs) stored at 37°C undergo apoptosis, a programmed cell death process, leading to rapid viability loss. Caspase activation accelerates this decline, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for improving platelet storage.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelets (PLTs) lose viability during blood banking storage.
- Storage at 37°C accelerates PLT viability loss and bacterial contamination risk.
- Routine PLT storage occurs at 22°C due to these concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if PLTs undergo apoptosis during storage.
- To investigate if 37°C storage accelerates PLT apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- PLT-rich plasma stored at 37°C or 22°C.
- Analysis of PLT number, pH, LDH, and metabolic activity over time.
- Western blotting and enzyme assays to detect apoptotic protein activation.
Main Results:
- PLT viability significantly reduced within 1-2 days at 37°C.
- Apoptosis signs, including caspase-3 activation and cleavage, observed within 3 hours.
- Caspase inhibitors prevented activation but did not improve viability at 37°C.
Conclusions:
- PLTs possess apoptotic proteins activated during 37°C storage.
- Activated apoptosis contributes to rapid PLT viability loss.
- Inhibiting PLT apoptosis may enhance cellular viability during storage.