Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
Complement Deposition and IgG Binding on Stored Red Blood Cells Are Independent of Storage Time
Astrid J F Thielen1, Elisabeth M Meulenbroek1, Inge Baas1
1Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background:
In the Netherlands, red blood cells (RBCs) are allowed to be stored up to 35 days at 2-6 °C in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM). During storage, RBCs undergo several changes that are collectively known as storage lesion. We investigated to what extent complement deposition and antibody binding occurred during RBC storage and investigated phagocytic uptake in vitro.
Methods:
RBCs were stored for different lengths of time at 2-6 °C in SAGM. Complement deposition and antibody binding were assessed upon storage and after incubation with serum. M1- and M2-type macrophages were generated from blood monocytes to investigate RBC phagocytosis.
Results:
No complement deposition was directly observed on stored RBCs, while incubation of RBCs with serum resulted in variable donor-dependent C3 deposition and IgG binding, both independent of storage time. Only 1-4% phagocytosis of stored RBCs by macrophages was observed.
Conclusion:
RBCs are susceptible to complement deposition and antibody binding independent of storage time. Limited phagocytic uptake by macrophages was observed in vitro.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Binding to Blood Components
HSA is the most abundant plasma protein and is vital in drug binding. It contains distinct drug-binding sites, with different drugs exhibiting affinity for specific sites. There are three main drug-binding domains for HSA: sites I, II, and III. These domains are...
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Storage
Complement System
Energy Stored in a Capacitor
Introduction to Test of Independence
The test statistic for a test of independence is similar to that of a goodness-of-fit test:

