Neutrophil collection using modified fluid gelatin. Effect on in vitro and in vivo neutrophil function

Modified fluid gelatin (MFG) is a possible alternative to hydroxyethyl starch (HES) for use as a red cell sedimenting agent in neutrophil collection procedures. Since the efficacy of neutrophil transfusion therapy depends upon the integrity of the infused cells, we examined the in vitro and in vivo function of neutrophils collecting using MFG. Neutrophils were collected from 17 normal subjects by continuous flow centrifugation using MFG in place of HES. In vitro measurement of neutrophil function included dye exclusion, phagocytosis, candidacidal activity, staphylococcal killing, chemotaxis, and random migration. For in vivo studies, neutrophils were labeled with 3H-diisopropylfluorophosphate, reinfused into the donor, and blood kinetics and skin chamber accumulation of the labeled cells were measured. In vivo results were compared with results from previous studies using neutrophils collected with HES or by phlebotomy. MFG neutrophils were normal by all in vitro functional criteria and localized normally at an in vivo inflammatory site. Intravascular survival (T 1/2 = 3.3 +/- 0.9 hours) was significantly shorter than normal (T 1/2 = 7.3 +/- 2.3 hours) but was identical to that of cells collected using HES. Thus, on the basis of neutrophil functional capabilities, MFG appears to be an acceptable alternative to HES in collection of neutrophils for transfusion.