Cora L. Gott

The effect of storage on adhesion and aggregation of platelets.

Abstract. Aggregation and adhesion of stored platelets were studied by a modified Wright technique. Comparisons of platelet rich plasma collected in ACD solution were made with and without aggregating agents, and at storage temperatures of 5°C, 24°C and 37°C. Platelets showed a loss of response to 0.5 μg ADP/ml, collagen and agar after storage for 4–6 h at the three temperatures with the greatest loss at 37°C and the least change at 5°C. The response to 5μg ADP/ml also was best maintained at 5°C. After 6–8 h of storage at 5°C. there was some decrease in free (single) platelets after rotation in the absence of aggregating agents, with a marked decrease after 48 hours storage. With storage at 24°C and 37°C, decrease in single platelets after rotation was not demonstrated during the first 24 h. A response to 5 μg ADP/ml was maintained for more than a week with the 5°C preparations. Acidification diminished the response to ADP for the first few days of storage and also depressed platelet aggregation and adhesion in the absence of aggregating agents on prolonged storage. The results of this in vitro study would appear to correlate with the loss of hemostatic effect of stored platelets on transfusion. The sustained response to 5 μg ADP/ml at 5°C suggests that this may be the best temperature for short term storage, although there is less spontaneous aggregation of platelets at the end of 24 h with 24°C storage. Also the ‘storage lesion’ appears to include loss of ADP or inability to release this substance from platelets.

Long-term culture of lymph node tissue from a patient with lymphocytic lymphoma. II. Preliminary ultrastructural, immunofluorescence and cytogenetic studies.

The original cell line was established from a lymph node biopsy specimen from a 59‐year‐old male patient having lymphocytic lymphoma (chronic lymphocytic leukemia). The culture has maintained an identical pattern of growth for 18 months. Two morphologically distinct cell types are present. One is a spindle shaped, flattened element attached to the glass surface, often forming an interlacing network; the other appears as clusters of ovoid or round floating elements. A first report described immunofluorescent studies with antihuman gammaglobulin, in which the round floating elements displayed marked fluorescence. This second report mentions similar results obtained using the patients labeled gammaglobulin. Preliminary ultrastructural studies revealed elementary particles resembling virus in the same cells. Chromosomal analysis of the strain showed a change to aneuploidy at approximately 6 months.

Fluorescent Dye Uptake By Platelets.

Summary The uptake of the fluorescent dye euchrysine by human platelets is not affected by the aggregating agents ADP and adrenaline or by endotoxin, but is lost after exposure to anti-platelet and anti-red cell stroma serum. Granules of platelets fail to take up the dye at low temperatures and at an acid pH, both of these conditions being reversible. Platelets stored for 10 days at 5°C had normal staining of their granules.