We performed 2 studies aimed at developing a frozen platelet panel sui
table for platelet cross-matching. The stability of the most important
platelet membrane glycoproteins and the reactivity of antigens of the
human platelet antigen (HPA) and of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
systems were evaluated with the platelet suspension immunofluorescenc
e test (PSIFT) in a panel of platelets frozen in microplates with 6% d
imethylsulfoxide. In study No. 1 we evaluated platelet reaction with a
broad-spectrum weak anti-HLA and a potent anti-HPA-1a antiserum and t
he expression of glycoproteins Ib and IIb/IIIa complex on platelet mem
brane before freezing and after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 months of
storage at -80 degrees C. In study No. 2 we examined platelet reactiv
ity with anti-HPA-1b, -HPA-2a, -HPA-3a, -HLA-A2, -HLA-A3 of platelets
stored frozen for 12 months in parallel with fresh platelets from the
same donors. Study No. 1 showed that glycoprotein expression was stabl
e and that the weak anti-HLA and the potent anti-HPA-1a antibodies wer
e clearly detected during 12 months at -80 degrees C. Of the 35 paired
PSIFT performed in study No. 2 with fresh and frozen/thawed platelets
incubated with anti-HPA-1b, -HPA-2a, -HPA-3a -HLA-A2, -HLA-A3 antiser
a and AB serum, concordant reactions were obtained in all cases with t
he exception of 1 case of HLA-A3-positive platelets incubated with ant
i-HLA-A3 antiserum, that was reactive with frozen/thawed platelets but
nonreactive with fresh platelets from the same donor. The discrepant
finding obtained with fresh platelets from 1 donor could be due to the
well-known variable and weak association of HLA antigens to platelet
membrane. We conclude that frozen platelet plates can be stored and us
ed for at least 12 months for detecting platelet-reactive antibodies i
n patients' sera.