Cytokine accumulation in stored red cell concentrates: effect of buffy-coat removal and leucoreduction

The accumulation of cytokines in stored red blood cell concentrates (RCCs) has been implicated as a potential cause of transfusion reactions associate d with the use of such products. At present, it is unclear whether there is any link between residual leukocyte and/or platelet content with cytokine levels in various RCCs. In this study, we have therefore assessed cytokine levels of leukocyte (e.g., IL8) and platelet (e.g., RANTES, TGF-beta 1) ori gin in supernatants of RCCs prepared by the plasma reduced method or by dep letion of the buffy coat. We have also assessed whether the Duffy antigen r eceptor (DARC, a promiscuous receptor for some chemokines) has any role in the diminution of cytokine levels in stored blood components by comparing c ytokine levels in stored plasma reduced RCCs derived from both DARC +ve and DARC -ve individuals. In addition, comparison of filtered and non-filtered products of the same origin has also been conducted. Results showed that s upernatants from DARC -ve concentrates contained higher levels of IL-8 up t o days 14/15 of storage compared with DARC +ve RCCs. However, at later time points, similar levels of IL8 were observed in RCCs regardless of their Du ffy receptor status. For TGF-BI and RANTES, no significant difference in th e levels of these cytokines was detected between DARC +ve and DARC -ve conc entrates. Removal of leukocytes and platelets by conventional leukocyte fil tration significantly reduced the accumulation of cytokines. Buffy coat red uced RCCs contained minimal amounts of IL-8 and TGF-beta 1 but no RANTES. W e conclude therefore, that the levels of cytokines in the supernatants of R CCs stored at 4 degrees C are related mainly to their leucocyte and platele t content. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.