Buffy coat-derived platelets cryopreserved using a new method: Results from in vitro studies.

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Hematology
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Platelet shortage remains a significant challenge in healthcare.
• Long-term storage of platelets (PLTs) is crucial for addressing transfusion needs.
• Current methods for platelet storage have limitations, necessitating improved preservation techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the count, viability, and function of buffy coat-derived pooled platelet concentrates (BC-PLTs) after cryopreservation.
• To assess the efficacy of a modified Valeri method using dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for cryopreserving BC-PLTs.
• To determine the stability of cryopreserved BC-PLTs (CRY BC-PLTs) over a nine-month storage period.

Main Methods:

• Prospective in vitro study involving 49 BC-PLTs from 245 healthy donors.
• Cryopreservation of BC-PLTs using 6% DMSO and a patented kit at -80°C.
• Analysis of platelet count, viability (CD42b, PAC-1 expression via flow cytometry), and function (thrombin generation) at baseline and after 3, 6, and 9 months of storage.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant reduction in CD42b and PAC-1 expression was observed after cryopreservation and storage.
• Despite reductions in certain markers, CRY BC-PLTs maintained good in vitro viability.
• Endogenous thrombin generation potential remained stable and robust throughout the nine-month storage period.

Conclusions:

• Cryopreservation using DMSO and a modified Valeri method is a promising approach for the long-term storage of BC-PLTs.
• CRY BC-PLTs exhibit acceptable viability and functional potential for transfusion purposes.
• This method helps mitigate platelet shortages by enabling extended storage of platelet concentrates.