Storage of neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs) in additive solution or in autologous plasma for 72 h

summary .  Neutropenia may necessitate polymorphonuclear (PMN) transfusion, but among other reasons, PMN short shelf‐life complicates realization of innovative transfusion strategies. In 18 donors, PMNs were mobilized using rHuG‐CSF + dexamethasone. (8·3 ± 1·6) × 10 10 PMNs were harvested in 203 ± 8·7 mL. PMNs were stored undiluted (1, n  = 18) and diluted 1‐in‐2, 1‐in‐4, 1‐in‐8 using T‐Sol (2, n  = 6), T‐Sol + 1% HSA (3, n  = 6), or autologous plasma (4, n  = 6) for 72 h. Haemograms, pH values, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α levels were assessed every 24 h. PMN count decreased from (4·3 ± 0·8) × 10 10 to (2·2 ± 1·0) × 10 10 , and pH value dropped from 6·4 ± 0·3 to 5·4 ± 0·2 within 72 h (1), whereas 1‐in‐4 and 1‐in‐8 dilutions exhibited consistent haemograms and pH values above 6·0. 1‐in‐8 dilution (4) stabilized pH at 7·1 ± 0·4 after 72 h. Function deteriorated to about 50% within 24 h (1), but 1‐in‐8 (3), 1‐in‐4 and 1‐in‐8 diluted PMNs (4) kept it >90% for 72 h. In all collectives, cytokine levels increased during storage. After all, IL‐1β ranged between 31·0 ± 16·3 (1‐in‐4, 4) and 100·0 ± 21·4 (1‐in‐4, 2), IL‐8 from 513 ± 454 (1) to 3180 ± 760 (1‐in‐8, 2), and TNF‐α between 3·8 ± 1·7 (1‐in‐2, 2) and 23·2 ± 11·8 (1‐in‐8, 4) (pg mL −1 ). PMN function may be preserved for 72 h in vitro by dilution of PMN apheresates with, preferably, autologous plasma.