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Preparation and Pathogen Inactivation of Double Dose Buffy Coat Platelet Products using the INTERCEPT Blood System
Published on: December 7, 2012
Glycosylation and cold platelet storage
Jeffrey S Jhang1, Steven L Spitalnik
1Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Current Hematology Reports
|October 20, 2005
Summary
Refrigerating platelets causes rapid clearance from the body. A new study reveals this is due to glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) clustering, not shape change, offering a potential solution for improved platelet storage and reduced transfusion risks.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Platelets are stored at room temperature, risking bacterial contamination.
- Refrigeration causes rapid platelet clearance, limiting storage duration and availability.
- Traditional understanding attributed cold storage issues to shape changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism behind rapid platelet clearance after cold storage.
- To identify factors influencing platelet survival post-transfusion.
- To explore strategies for improving platelet storage conditions.
Main Methods:
- Revisiting cold storage lesion effects on platelet survival.
- Analyzing glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) clustering on platelet surfaces.
- Investigating the role of N-acetylglucosamine residues and complement receptors in platelet clearance.
- Enzymatically galactosylating exposed beta-N-acetylglucosamine residues.
Main Results:
- Cold storage-induced platelet shape change does not cause poor survival.
- Platelet clearance is caused by clustering of glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) alpha subunits.
- Exposed beta-N-acetylglucosamine on GPIb is recognized by complement receptors, leading to phagocytosis.
- Galactosylation of beta-N-acetylglucosamine inhibits phagocytosis and prolongs platelet survival.
Conclusions:
- Platelet clearance after cold storage is mediated by GPIb clustering and subsequent macrophage recognition.
- Enzymatic galactosylation of exposed beta-N-acetylglucosamine offers a method to improve cold storage of platelets.
- This approach could reduce bacterial proliferation, extend storage, and enhance platelet availability, minimizing transfusion-transmitted bacteremia.
