The effect of short-term refrigeration on platelet responsiveness.

Storage of platelet concentrates (PC) at cold temperature (CT) is discussed as an alternative to the current standard of storage at room temperature (RT). Recently, we could show that cold-induced attenuation of inhibitory signaling is an important mechanism promoting platelet reactivity. For developing strategies in blood banking, it is required to elucidate the time-dependent onset of facilitated platelet activation.

Platelet Toll-Like-Receptor-2 and -4 Mediate Different Immune-Related Responses to Bacterial Ligands.

 Like immune cells, platelets express toll-like receptors (TLRs) on their surface membrane. TLR2 and TLR4 are able to recognize bacterial antigens and have the potential to influence hemostatic functions and classical intracellular signaling pathways. This study investigated the role of TLR2 and TLR4 for immune-related functions in human platelets.

Composition of plasma in apheresis-derived platelet concentrates under cold storage.

Background: Compared to room temperature (RT, 22-24°C) storage, refrigeration of platelet concentrates (PC) may provide advantages due to lower risks of bacterial growth and increased responsiveness of platelets. However, storage at cold temperature (CT, 2-6°C) may also strongly influence the plasmatic composition of PC. This study analysed the content of plasma in apheresis-derived platelet concentrates (APC).

Profile of the single-use, multiple-pass protein A adsorber column in immunoadsorption.

Background And Objectives: Immunoadsorptions (IA) are used to remove autoantibodies from the plasma in autoimmune disorders. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a single-use, recombinant staphylococcal protein A-based immunoadsorber on blood composition of the patient.

Materials And Methods: In a cohort of patients with myasthenia gravis or stiff-person syndrome, essential parameters of blood cell count, coagulation, clinical chemistry or plasma proteins and immunoglobulins (Ig) were measured before and after IA (n = 11).

Influence of long-term proteasome inhibition on platelet responsiveness mediated by bortezomib.

Introduction: Although platelets contain a full proteasome system, its role in platelet function is not completely understood yet. Since the proteasome system may be involved in time-delayed processes, platelet responsiveness was investigated after long-term, bortezomib-mediated proteasome inhibition.

Materials And Methods: Citrate-anticoagulated whole blood was stored with 5 nM and 1 μM bortezomib for 24 h.

The involvement of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in human platelet signalling pathways.

In addition to haemostasis, platelets play an essential role in mechanisms of inflammation and in immunological reactions. Platelets express various toll-like receptors (TLR) on their surface, among them TLR2 and TLR4, which are important for the recognition of bacterial patterns. This study compared TLR2- and TLR4-dependent platelet signalling and their effect on platelet function.

The Impact of Cold Storage on Adenosine Diphosphate-Mediated Platelet Responsiveness.

 Cold storage of platelets is considered to contribute to lower risk of bacterial growth and to more efficient hemostatic capacity. For the optimization of storage strategies, it is required to further elucidate the influence of refrigeration on platelet integrity. This study focused on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-related platelet responsiveness.

The role of proteasome activity for activating and inhibitory signalling in human platelets.

Platelets express key proteins of the proteasome system, but its functional role in the regulation of platelet integrity, however, is not fully understood yet. Therefore, this study evaluated activating and inhibitory platelet signalling pathways using the potent and selective proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. In washed platelets, the effect of bortezomib on viability and on aggregation was assessed.