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Updated: May 1, 2026
Treatment of Platelet Products with Riboflavin and UV Light: Effectiveness Against High Titer Bacterial Contamination
Published on: August 24, 2015
Pathogen reduction treatment using riboflavin and ultraviolet light impairs platelet reactivity toward specific
Sabrina Zeddies1, Iris M De Cuyper, Pieter F van der Meer
1Department of Hematopoiesis, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background:
Recent studies showed that Mirasol pathogen reduction treatment (PRT) leads to increased P-selectin expression and increased oxygen and glucose consumption in resting platelets (PLTs). This study investigates the effect of PRT on PLT activation.
Study Design And Methods:
Untreated or Mirasol-treated PLTs were analyzed at different time points during storage. Microaggregation upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), convulxin, and ristocetin was measured. Alpha granule contents and release upon thrombin stimulation were assessed by flow cytometry and Western blotting. PLT spreading was determined on collagen-coated glass slides.
Results:
Mirasol PRT led to spontaneous aggregation (hyperreactivity), as measured by flow cytometry in the absence of agonist throughout storage time. PMA-induced aggregation was significantly higher in Mirasol PRT PLTs compared to controls. Aggregation in response to convulxin and ristocetin was significantly lower and directly influenced by storage time after Mirasol PRT, compared to untreated stored PLT concentrates. Despite the reported hyperreactivity of resting PLTs, PLT activation with thrombin on Day 8 after Mirasol PRT resulted in less P-selectin-positive PLTs. Furthermore, platelet factor 4 (PF4) secretion was reduced upon thrombin stimulation on Day 8 after PRT compared to controls. Significantly decreased spreading of Mirasol PRT PLTs over collagen-coated slides was observed directly after PRT and persisted throughout storage.
Conclusion:
Mirasol PRT leads to hyperreactive PLTs, probably caused by continuous basal degranulation through storage time. This results in a reduction in the degranulation capacity upon acute stimulation, which influences PLT spreading, but not overtly microaggregation. The clinical relevance needs to be investigated.
Insights
Mirasol pathogen reduction treatment (PRT) causes hyperreactive platelets, leading to reduced activation and spreading capacity during storage. Further research is needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Platelet Biology
Background:
- Mirasol pathogen reduction treatment (PRT) has been observed to increase P-selectin expression and metabolic activity in resting platelets (PLTs).
- Previous studies suggest PRT may influence platelet function, necessitating further investigation into its effects on platelet activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Mirasol PRT on platelet activation and function during storage.
- To assess changes in platelet aggregation, degranulation, and spreading following Mirasol PRT.
Main Methods:
- Platelet concentrates (PCs) were treated with Mirasol PRT or left untreated and analyzed during storage.
- Platelet aggregation was measured using flow cytometry upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), convulxin, and ristocetin.
- Alpha granule release, P-selectin expression, and platelet spreading on collagen were assessed.
Main Results:
- Mirasol PRT induced spontaneous platelet aggregation (hyperreactivity) and enhanced PMA-induced aggregation.
- Aggregation responses to convulxin and ristocetin decreased over storage time post-PRT.
- Reduced P-selectin expression and platelet factor 4 secretion were observed upon thrombin stimulation, alongside diminished platelet spreading on collagen.
Conclusions:
- Mirasol PRT induces platelet hyperreactivity, likely due to continuous basal degranulation during storage.
- This hyperreactivity leads to a reduced degranulation capacity upon stimulation, affecting platelet spreading but not overtly microaggregation.
- The clinical relevance of Mirasol PRT-induced platelet changes requires further investigation.
