Release of WBC-derived IL-1 receptor antagonist into supernatants of RBCs: influence of storage time and filtration

Transfusion. 2001 Jan;41(1):67-73. doi: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2001.41010067.x.

Abstract

Background: Transfusion-associated immunodepression may be related to the transfer of immunoinhibitory cytokines with blood components.

Study design and methods: After evidence of increasing concentrations of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) but not of IL-10 was obtained in supernatants of stored RBC units that were WBC-reduced by centrifugation (C-RBCs) in a pilot study, IL-1RA concentrations were determined weekly in supernatants of C-RBCs and in units that underwent prestorage WBC reduction by in-line filtration (F-RBCs) over a 49-day storage. For assessing total IL-1RA content, complete cell lysis by repeated freezing and thawing was done. The results were related to the changes in WBC count during storage. The dependency of IL-1RA content on preparation procedures was assessed.

Results: The prestorage IL-1RA concentration in C-RBCs (859 +/- 218 pg/mL) was significantly higher than in F-RBC (75 +/- 13 pg/mL). Whereas no changes were seen in F-RBCs during storage, IL-1RA levels in C-RBC supernatants drastically increased to levels about 50 times those in normal plasma (16,327 +/- 2,686 pg/mL on Day 49). Follow-up analysis revealed stringent correlation between IL-1RA release into supernatants and the current loss of WBCs (r = 0.79, n = 42; p<0.001). The total IL-1RA content did not change during storage and was directly dependent on prestorage WBC count. Preparation procedures altered the IL-1RA content only by WBC reduction.

Conclusion: The immunosuppressive cytokine IL-1RA is transmitted by RBCs in relation to WBC content and storage time.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Preservation*
  • Centrifugation
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism*
  • Hemofiltration
  • Humans
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Values
  • Sialoglycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • IL1RN protein, human
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Sialoglycoproteins