ALLOIMMUNIZATION AGAINST THE MHC ANTIGENS AFTER PLATELET TRANSFUSIONS IS DUE TO CONTAMINATING LEUKOCYTES IN THE PLATELET SUSPENSION

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 9  (1) , 84-89
Abstract
Repeated platelet transfusion to thrombocytopenic patients frequently induce anti HLA antibodies, which are responsible for transfusion refractoriness. As the transfused platelet suspensions usually contain 15-30% of the leukocytes originally present in the blood, it is not known whether these antibodies are raised by the platelets or by the contaminating leukocytes in the platelet suspensions. In the mouse, pure platelet suspensions are not able to induce a primary antibody response, as measured by the National Institute of Health test and the direct immunofluorescence test on platelets and leukocytes, despite repeated injections. When the platelet suspensions are contaminated with leukocytes (103 or more/injection) an antibody response is induced. This response is higher than the response induced by an equal leukocyte amount alone. In man the use of leukocyte poor platelets postpones the refractoriness development to random platelets; evidently leukocyte free platelet transfusions will probably prevent immunization against the HLA antigens.