Microparticles in red cell concentrates prime polymorphonuclear neutrophils and cause acute lung injury in a

Rufeng Xie1, Yiming Yang1, Yueyue Zhu2

  • 1Shanghai Institute of Blood Transfusion, Shanghai Blood Center, Shanghai, China.

Insights

Red cell-derived microparticles (RMPs) accumulating during red cell concentrate (RCC) storage prime neutrophils. This priming can lead to transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) in a mouse model.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Red cell-derived microparticles (RMPs) are implicated in transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).
  • The role of microparticles (MPs) in stored red blood cells (RBCs) concerning acute lung injury (ALI) requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of microparticles in red cell concentrates (RCCs) on neutrophil respiratory burst and ALI in mice.
  • To determine if MPs accumulating during RCC storage contribute to ALI pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified MPs in RCC supernatant using flow cytometry.
  • Assessed in vitro priming of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) by isolated MPs and RCC supernatant.
  • Induced ALI in mice using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by MP or RCC supernatant infusion.
  • Evaluated lung injury markers including myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histology, and pulmonary edema.

Main Results:

  • RMP numbers significantly increased with RCC storage duration.
  • MPs and RCC supernatants from stored units (>28 days) effectively primed PMN respiratory burst.
  • Infusion of MPs or aged RCC supernatant induced ALI in LPS-treated mice.
  • Filtered supernatant significantly reduced ALI severity, indicating MPs are key mediators.

Conclusions:

  • Accumulation of RMPs during RCC storage enhances PMN activation.
  • RMPs are critical mediators contributing to the development of ALI in a two-event model.
  • Storage duration of RCCs influences the risk of transfusion-related lung injury.

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