The use of flow cytometry and proteomic analysis in the evaluation of erythrocyte membrane proteins during storage of red blood cell concentrates

Abstract

For over 100 years the erythrocyte cell membrane attracted interest of transfusiologists mainly due to the antigens localized on their surface and associated risks of patient alloimmunisation and therefore the need of serological selection of donor's and recipient's blood. Presently it is known that RBC antigens and other membrane proteins play important transport and protective functions, and are involved in adhesion, maintenance of cell shape and in the process of aging and phagocytosis. Since the available results of retrospective clinical observations suggest an adverse effect of transfusion on selected groups of patients, it is important to undertake studies on the changes taking place within the cell membrane of erythrocytes stored in blood banks. Flow cytometric analysis of stored leucodepleted or non-leucodepleted erythrocyte concentrates, revealed significant changes in the level of expression of many RBC surface molecules: CD44, CD47, CD55, CD58, CD59, CD235a (GPA). In parallel, a significant development of proteomic analysis of stored RBCs is observed. Stored RBCs offer less variability of biological material, caused by drugs, illnesses, etc. when compared with clinical proteomics studies; however, the complexity of the methodology and the lack of uniform and comparable procedures may cause misinterpretation and even create artifacts. Still, modern research methods offer hope for the elaboration of aging biomarkers of stored RBCs as well as for raising the level of transfusion medicine quality.