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Updated: Oct 13, 2026
Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro
Published on: March 19, 2016
Vesiculation and changes in fluidity and lipid composition of platelet membranes after storage of sheep platelets in
E M Martín-Valmaseda1, J Sánchez-Yagüe, A Hernández-Hernández
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salamanca, Spain.
Abstract:
To relate the improvement of platelet storage in synthetic media with possible structural changes, we conducted serial studies on the membranes of platelets and microparticles shed during platelet storage for up to 5 days at 4 degrees C either in plasma or in Seto solution. Spontaneous microparticle formation proceeded linearly for up to 2 days in both storage media, although the processes seemed to be different because microparticles from Seto solution had a higher lipid/protein ratio than those released in plasma. Microparticles were heterogeneous structures showing beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase activities. After 2-5 days of storage, microparticles contained 60% of total cellular acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were doubly enriched in cholesterol. and showed identical phospholipid profiles but with a decrease in the lipid unsaturation index with respect to fresh platelets. Fluorescence anisotropy studies pointed to a remarkable increase in the deep lipid core fluidity of microparticles during storage of platelets in plasma. With respect to platelets, only those stored in plasma showed significant changes in lipid contents, with a 3-fold decrease in the phospholipid to protein ratio, a decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) levels and a parallel increase in phosphatidylcholine (PC) percentages in their phospholipid profile, together with a significant reduction in the lipid unsaturation index after 1 day of storage. The fluidity of the negatively charged surface of the platelet membranes decreased in platelets stored for 5 days in both media, whereas the fluidity of the membrane deep core was only increased in platelets stored in plasma. These findings suggest that Seto solution permits better storage of platelets for 5 days than plasma and support the notion that lipid peroxidation could play an important role in the structural changes observed.
Insights
Seto solution offers superior platelet storage compared to plasma for up to 5 days. This synthetic medium better preserves platelet membrane structure and reduces lipid peroxidation, crucial for transfusion safety.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Platelet storage quality is critical for transfusion efficacy.
- Understanding structural changes during storage informs improved preservation methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural changes in platelet membranes and microparticles during storage in plasma versus Seto solution.
- To determine if Seto solution offers improved platelet preservation over plasma.
Main Methods:
- Serial studies on platelet and microparticle membranes stored for up to 5 days at 4°C in plasma or Seto solution.
- Analysis of lipid/protein ratios, enzyme activities, cholesterol, phospholipid profiles, and lipid unsaturation index.
- Fluorescence anisotropy studies to assess membrane fluidity.
Main Results:
- Microparticle formation was linear up to 2 days, with Seto solution microparticles showing higher lipid/protein ratios.
- Stored microparticles were enriched in cholesterol and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with decreased lipid unsaturation.
- Platelets stored in plasma exhibited significant lipid changes, including decreased phospholipid to protein ratio and altered phospholipid profiles, alongside increased membrane fluidity.
Conclusions:
- Seto solution provides better platelet storage for 5 days than plasma, indicated by fewer structural changes.
- Lipid peroxidation likely plays a significant role in the observed structural alterations during platelet storage.
