Binding of activated platelets to WBCs in vivo after transfusion.
BACKGROUND
During preparation and storage of apheresis concentrates, platelets are being activated. One of the alterations that occur during this process is an increased expression of P-selectin (CD62p) on the cytoplasmic surface of platelets. This neoepitope represents a ligand for the binding of platelets to WBCs. It has been suggested that the activation of platelets is associated with the sequestration of platelets after transfusion. In this in vivo study, the binding of platelets to WBCs was analyzed following transfusion of platelet concentrates (PCs).


METHODS
Double apheresis concentrates were prepared with two different cell separators. One of the split products was stored for 1 to 2 days and the other one for 3 to 5 days. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze the degree of platelet activation in vitro, and also to measure the extent of platelet binding to WBC subclasses in vivo after transfusion into patients.


RESULTS
The results of this study show that platelet activation occurs during apheresis and storage of PCs. After transfusion of the PCs, no significant binding of platelets to T or B-cells could be detected. However, a significant binding of platelets to monocytes and neutrophil granulocytes occurs. While in Baxter PCs stored for 1-2 days the amount of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in vivo was higher compared to COBE PCs, no such difference could be detected anymore for the PCs stored for 3-5 days.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that binding of activated platelets occurs to monocytes and neutrophil granulocytes but not to T- and B-cells in the circulation after transfusion. In addition, the interaction of platelets and WBCs is dependent on the degree of P-selectin expression. Platelets showing a higher degree of activation adhere to WBCs to a higher degree than nonactivated platelets.
Gutensohn
Kai
K
Department of Transfusion Medicine/Transplantation Immunology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. kai.gutensohn@bioscientia.de
Geidel
Katja
K
Brockmann
Marc
M
Siemensen
Margaux
M
Krueger
William
W
Kroeger
Nico
N
Kuehnl
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D001793:Blood Preservation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D010983:Plateletpheresis / Q000295:instrumentation; D013997:Time Factors
D019007:P-Selectin