Cytokines in Platelet Concentrates

There are many cytokines that have been shown to increase in platelet concentrates during storage including: proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and transforming growth factor β. The concentrations of these cytokines can be variable depending on the method of platelet preparation, and the leukocyte and/or platelet concentration in the product. The clinical significance of these cytokines is questionable; however, clinical data suggests that tike proinflammatory cytokines may play an important role in causing febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. The clinical data to support a causative role in these reactions includes: correlational studies where high concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines were associated with a higher frequency of reactions; observational studies showing that the transfusion of platelet products with high leukocyte counts have a higher likelihood of causing reactions; and, experimental studies where products with low cytokine levels seldom cause FNHTR. The clinical relevance of chemokines and other growth factors detected in platelet concentrates remains inconclusive.