Lipidomic analysis of differently prepared platelet concentrates in additive solution during storage

Structural and biochemical changes in stored platelets are influenced by collection and processing methods. Lesions may appear during platelet concentrate storage, some of which may be involved in adverse transfusion reactions. The preparation and storage of platelet concentrates (PC) may modify and even damage the lipid mediator content. The aim of this study was to investigate the lipidomic profile identified in the supernatants of PCs according to processing and storage conditions, both after leukocyte filtration and contained in platelet additive solution (PAS), comparing single donor apheresis (SDA) products with pooled buffy coat (BC) products.

We investigated the accumulation of various lipid mediators including lysophospholipids (LP) and eicosanoids in SDA and BC products stored for 0-5 days. All products were processed following French Blood Establishment (EFS) procedures in accordance with EDQM/GTS European Standards. Both SDA and BC were leukocyte reduced and conserved in 35% autologous donor plasma and 65% platelet additive solution. Lipidomic analysis was performed on PC supernatants using LS/MS spectrometry.

Our data demonstrate that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) levels were higher in BCs compared to SDAs, with no difference in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) expression between the two preparation methods. Results for other eicosanoids showed greater similarity; indeed, no clear pattern emerged from analysis of eicosanoids in terms of storage time and process. In general, we observed longitudinal lipid mediator modulation for both SDAs and BCs, particularly at later time points.

The expression of LPC and some eicosanoids in BCs could be used as novel biomarkers of PC quality. Future studies are needed to explore their impact on adverse transfusion reactions.