GRANULOCYTE CONCENTRATE FUNCTION DURING PRESERVATION - EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (1) , 216-225
Abstract
Granulocyte concentrates collected from normal donors are necessarily stored for varying intervals up to the time of transfusion. However, information regarding the fate of collected cells and the optimal mode of storage in vitro in the interval between collection and transfusion is far from complete. Granulocyte function was studied during preservation of granulocyte concentrates for up to 72 h. The initial and most consistent alteration in granulocyte function during storage was failure of random migration and chemotaxis after 24 h of storage (50 and 61% of normal, respectively). By 48 h the respiratory burst was decreased by 42% but at 48 h phagocytic and bactericidal activities were nearly normal. Defects in migration and respiratory burst were not due to delayed activation of these functions but to absolute decreases in maximum rates of migration and O2 consumption. Comparison of granulocyte concentrate storage at 6.degree. C vs. room temperature indicated at 24 h an improved (P < 0.02) but still abnormal (P < 0.02) chemotactic response with 24.degree. C storage and at 48 h no difference in migration but a slight advantage in bacterial killing at 6.degree. C storage. Severe impairment of granulocyte function occurred within 24 h of collection by centrifugal means; granulocyte concentrates should be transfused as soon as possible after collection.