Murine Models of Transfusion-Induced Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization

Blood transfusion, while a life-saving intervention, carries inherent risks ranging from infectious complications to non-infectious hazards, such as transfusion-related acute lung injury, circulatory overload, and hemolytic reactions. While donor screening and pathogen inactivation technologies can significantly reduce infectious risks, preventing non-infectious complications remains challenging due to limited understanding of donor and recipient factors that govern these outcomes. To address this, genetically tractable murine models can be employed to elucidate key biological factors governing immune-mediated complications of transfusion. However, for these models to yield meaningful results, experimental approaches must closely mirror clinical practice. We describe herein methods for obtaining, characterizing, and transfusing red blood cells in murine models, specifically focusing on studying alloimmunization.