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Cryopreservation and Bioenergetic Evaluation of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Published on: October 20, 2023
Red blood cell processing for cryopreservation: from fresh blood to deglycerolization
Valeria Pallotta1, Gian Maria D'Amici, Angelo D'Alessandro
1Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases
|March 20, 2012
Summary
Cryostorage of red blood cells (RBCs) is safe for a decade, but processing steps, not cryopreservation itself, cause cell alterations. Glycerolization significantly impacts RBCs, suggesting non-penetrating cryoprotectants may be better alternatives.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cryostorage offers long-term red blood cell (RBC) preservation (≥10 years), a viable alternative to liquid storage.
- Despite clinical interest, the biochemical and physiological impacts of cryostoring erythrocyte concentrates remain under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cryostorage processing on red blood cells (RBCs).
- To identify specific steps contributing to RBC alterations during cryopreservation.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring RBC processing steps: glycerolization, thawing, and deglycerolization.
- Assessing standard parameters like mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width-SD (RDW-SD).
- Utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and discontinuous density gradients.
Main Results:
- Cell processing increased RBC volume and altered cell shape, leading to increased osmotic fragility and ion permeability.
- A significant pH drop occurred, unrelated to metabolic rate, as lactate levels remained stable.
- Membrane anomalies and hemolysis were observed, particularly in older, denser RBC subpopulations.
Conclusions:
- Cryostorage with glycerol does not significantly harm RBCs; alterations stem from processing, especially glycerolization.
- Increased cytosolic glycerol during glycerolization is a key factor in observed RBC changes.
- Future research should explore non-penetrating cryoprotectants to mitigate processing-induced damage.
