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Updated: Feb 9, 2026
12:40
Preparation and Pathogen Inactivation of Double Dose Buffy Coat Platelet Products using the INTERCEPT Blood System
Published on: December 7, 2012
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Ultraviolet-Based Pathogen Inactivation Systems: Untangling the Molecular Targets Activated in Platelets
Peter Schubert1,2, Lacey Johnson3, Denese C Marks3,4
1Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Frontiers in Medicine
|June 6, 2018
Summary
Pathogen inactivation (PI) technologies enhance blood safety by reducing bacterial transmission risks. However, PI treatment may impair platelet functionality, impacting transfusion efficacy and requiring further research into molecular mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Platelet transfusions are vital in medicine but carry risks of pathogen transmission, particularly bacterial contamination.
- Pathogen inactivation (PI) technologies, often using UV illumination, have been developed to mitigate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on current-generation PI technologies for platelet concentrates.
- To assess the impact of PI on platelet quality, inactivation capacity, safety, and clinical efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies evaluating platelet concentrates treated with PI technologies.
- Analysis of molecular signaling pathways affected by PI treatment.
- Development of a model to identify central regulatory mechanisms.
Main Results:
- PI technologies improve safety by reducing pathogen transmission risks.
- PI treatment is associated with reduced platelet functionality and potentially lower transfusion efficacy.
- Molecular analyses reveal altered signaling pathways in PI-treated platelets, some resembling storage lesion effects.
Conclusions:
- Improved safety from PI comes at the cost of reduced platelet function.
- The signaling protein kinase p38 appears to be a central regulator of PI-induced platelet alterations.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the contribution of PI to impaired platelet functionality.
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