Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 5, 2026
Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
Irradiation of Red Blood Cells and Alloimmunization
Christopher A Tormey1,2, Jeanne E Hendrickson2,3
1Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT.
Background:
Animal models suggest that red blood cell (RBC) damage incurred during storage can increase immunogenicity to some RBC antigens. We hypothesized that RBC irradiation, a source of oxidative damage, may result in higher RBC alloimmunization rates among transfusion recipients.
Methods:
Individuals receiving 1 or more gamma-irradiated RBC units, with follow-up antibody screening, were studied. We recorded diagnosis at the time of first irradiated RBC-unit transfusion, total irradiated RBCs received, and alloantibodies detected before and after irradiated RBC transfusion.
Results:
The alloimmunization rate for patients receiving irradiated RBCs was 1.9% (3/154); this rate was not significantly different from the rate of 2.5% (5/200) derived from a control group that had undergone transfusion with nonirradiated RBCs ( P > .99). Most of the study subjects (83/154 [53.9%]) did not harbor an immunosuppressive disorder at the time of transfusion of irradiated RBCs, with postoperative bleeding (36/83 [43.4%]) being the most common diagnosis.
Conclusions:
This analysis provides reassurance that irradiated RBCs are not more immunogenic in patients with immunosuppression than in patients with immunocompetence.
More Related Videos
11:55Induction of Alloantigen-specific Anergy in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Alloantigen Stimulation with Co-stimulatory Signal Blockade
Published on: March 14, 2011
11:31Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols
Published on: January 2, 2013
Related Concept Videos
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:01Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
01:15Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
01:10Blood Typing
Antigens are protein molecules that reside on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The ABO and Rh blood typing systems target...
01:19Rh Blood Group
01:22Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...