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Effects of methylene blue-treated plasma on red cells and stored platelet concentrates
P L Perrotta1, L Baril, C Tead
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine and Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut, USA.
Background:
Photochemical methods can effectively inactivate extracellular viruses and bacteria found in blood components. Treatment of plasma with methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazine dye, and visible light inactivates enveloped viruses including HIV-1. The effects of MB-treated plasma on cellular components stored in vitro have not been well characterized.
Study Design And Methods:
MB-treated plasma (83 microg MB/250 mL plasma) was added to single-donor platelets, stored AS-1 red cells (RBCs), irradiated RBCs, and frozen-deglycerolized RBCs. In vitro platelet assays performed after 1 and 5 days of storage in MB-treated plasma included pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3, platelet number, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, osmotic recovery, and CD62 expression. RBC components were examined at specific intervals for leakage of potassium, plasma hemoglobin level, and percentage of hemolysis. Direct antiglobulin tests, osmotic fragilities, and RBC antigen stability tests were also performed on RBCs stored in MB-treated plasma. Components stored with autologous plasma or nontreated allogeneic plasma served as controls.
Results:
Similar storage-induced changes in pH, glucose, and platelet numbers, as well as increases in lactate dehydrogenase, CD62 expression, and lactate were seen in single-donor platelets stored with MB-treated and control plasma. Platelet morphology scores and osmotic recoveries were not altered. Plasma hemoglobin and potassium and percentage of hemolysis increased equally in the various RBC components stored with MB-treated or nontreated plasma. Osmotic fragility and RBC antigen stability were not appreciably altered by MB-treated plasma.
Conclusion:
Plasma treated by MB photoinactivation can be used for in vitro resuspension and storage of platelets or RBCs, because of the lack of influence of MB-treated plasma on a variety of in vitro platelet and RBC assays.
Insights
Methylene blue (MB) photoinactivated plasma can be used for storing platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). This study found no adverse effects on cellular components during in vitro storage.
Area of Science:
- Blood component processing
- Transfusion medicine
- Photochemical inactivation
Background:
- Photochemical methods effectively inactivate extracellular pathogens in blood products.
- Methylene blue (MB) and light treatment inactivates enveloped viruses like HIV-1 in plasma.
- The impact of MB-treated plasma on cellular blood components during storage is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of MB-treated plasma on the in vitro storage of platelets and red blood cells (RBCs).
- To assess the compatibility of MB-treated plasma for resuspending and storing cellular blood components.
Main Methods:
- Platelets and various RBC components (AS-1, irradiated, frozen-deglycerolized) were stored in MB-treated plasma.
- In vitro assays for platelets included pH, gases, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, osmotic recovery, and CD62 expression.
- RBC components were analyzed for potassium leakage, plasma hemoglobin, hemolysis, osmotic fragility, and antigen stability.
- Controls included autologous plasma and non-treated allogeneic plasma.
Main Results:
- Platelets stored in MB-treated plasma showed similar changes in pH, glucose, and platelet counts compared to controls.
- Lactate dehydrogenase, CD62 expression, and lactate increased similarly in both MB-treated and control plasma groups.
- RBC components exhibited comparable increases in plasma hemoglobin, potassium, and hemolysis regardless of plasma treatment.
- Osmotic fragility and RBC antigen stability remained unaffected by MB-treated plasma.
Conclusions:
- Methylene blue (MB) photoinactivated plasma is suitable for the in vitro storage of platelets and RBCs.
- MB-treated plasma does not negatively impact key in vitro assays for platelets and RBCs.
- This finding supports the potential use of MB-treated plasma in blood banking applications.