Generation of cytokines in red cell concentrates during storage is prevented by prestorage white cell reduction.
BACKGROUND
The effect of prestorage white cell (WBC) filtration on the cytokine content in red cells (RBCs) has not been clarified.


METHODS
Six units of buffy coat-poor RBC concentrates were prepared. Each unit was divided into three parts: one was used as a control, the second was made WBC-rich by the addition of WBCs from the buffy coat, and the third was made WBC-poor by filtration. All units were stored at 4 degrees C for 6 weeks. Immediately after preparation and every second week subsequently, samples for analyses of interleukin (IL) 1 beta (IL-1), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) were obtained. After 13 weeks, the procedure was repeated on the same donors.


RESULTS
IL-2 was not detected. The amounts of IL-1, IL-8, and TNF alpha increased during the storage period. With the exception of IL-8, only low concentrations were found. Filtered units had lower concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF alpha after 2 weeks of storage than did the control and WBC-rich units. The amounts of cytokines in filtered units did not increase during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Prestorage filtration seems to diminish the amount of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF alpha RBCs during storage. The possible clinical implications of this should be elucidated.
Shanwell
A
A
Stockholm Blood Transfusion Service, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
Kristiansson
M
M
Remberger
M
M
Ringdén
O
O
D000328:Adult; D001793:Blood Preservation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D007937:Leukapheresis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013696:Temperature; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha