Immunocompetent Lymphocytes in Previously Frozen Washed Red Cells1

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Abstract
Most of the leukocytes were removed from red cells during glycerolization, frozen storage at – 80 °C, and washing. Residual lymphocytes that were isolated from the washed red cells were found to be responsive to phytohemagglutinin stimulation. Since phytohemagglutinin‐responsive lymphocytes appear to mediate the graft‐versus‐host reaction, it is imperative that freeze‐preserved red cells be handled with the same precautions as other blood products before transfusion to patients with immunologic deficiencies.