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Storage of red blood cells affects membrane composition, microvesiculation, and in vitro quality

Ruqayyah Almizraq1, Jayme D R Tchir, Jelena L Holovati

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Canadian Blood Services, Research and Development, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Transfusion
|January 17, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Red blood cell (RBC) storage leads to detrimental changes, increasing red blood cell microparticles (RMPs) and decreasing membrane lipids. These storage-induced quality changes may impact transfusion outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Red blood cells (RBCs) undergo biochemical and biomechanical changes during storage.
  • RBC microparticles (RMPs) are biomarkers of RBC quality, potentially immunogenic and inhibitory to nitric oxide regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate microvesiculation and RBC membrane composition changes during storage.
  • To correlate these changes with in vitro assays of membrane quality.

Main Methods:

  • Leukoreduced RBC units were stored at 1-6°C for 49 days.
  • Weekly testing included hemolysis, osmotic fragility, deformability, ATP, hematologic indices, and morphology.
  • Microvesiculation was assessed by flow cytometry; phospholipid and cholesterol composition was analyzed by HPLC and mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Storage increased hemolysis and RMP generation while decreasing ATP concentrations and membrane lipids (phospholipids and total lipids).
  • RBC membrane cholesterol levels remained unchanged.
  • Significant correlations were observed between storage duration and RBC quality parameters.

Conclusions:

  • RBC storage significantly alters RBC membrane composition and quality.
  • Storage duration impacts RMP generation, osmotic fragility, hemolysis, and deformability.
  • These storage-induced changes may contribute to transfusion reactions and adverse posttransfusion outcomes.

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