WBC reduction reduces storage-associated RBC adhesion to human vascular endothelial cells under conditions of continuous flow in vitro.
BACKGROUND
The effects of storage duration, WBC reduction, and irradiation on RBC adherence to vascular endothelia are unknown and are investigated under conditions of continuous flow.


METHODS
Thirty-two RBC units were collected and divided into three groups, non-WBC-reduced (NWR), WBC-reduced (WR), and irradiated-WBC-reduced. Aliquots of RBCs were removed on Days 1, 15, and 28 of storage for analysis. The RBC suspensions were then perfused at a 1.5 percent Hct in a protein-poor medium under conditions of continuous flow over human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. On each slide, 25 randomly chosen sites were videorecorded over 10 minutes, and the number of RBCs adherent to the endothelial cell monolayer was counted.


RESULTS
NWR RBCs stored for 28 days demonstrated a greater degree of adherence to endothelial cells compared to Days 1 and 15 (p < 0.03). The WR group had significantly fewer adherent RBCs than the NWR group on day 28 (p < 0.01). Irradiation had no effect on RBC adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged storage of NWR RBCs increases RBC adherence to endothelial cells in vitro. WBC reduction before storage abrogates the effect of storage duration on increased adhesion. Studies to assess whether an in vivo effect occurs are required.
Luk
Cynthia S
CS
London Health Sciences Center, the Lawson Health Research Institute, Canadian Blood Services, and the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Gray-Statchuk
Leslie A
LA
Cepinkas
Gediminas
G
Chin-Yee
Ian H
IH
D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002469:Cell Separation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes; D010477:Perfusion; D013997:Time Factors; D014471:Umbilical Veins