Functional characteristics of photochemically treated platelets.

Background: A photochemical treatment (PCT) process using the psoralen compound amotosalen HCL (S59) and long wavelength UVA light was developed for inactivation of infectious pathogens and WBCs. In this study the effect of PCT on functional characteristics of the platelets was evaluated in vitro.

Study Design And Methods: Platelet concentrates were treated photochemically using the experimental clinical processing system T-bag S59 Reduction Device (SRD) (n = 4) or the commercially available integral processing system Wafer SRD (n = 4) and compared with control platelet concentrates in plasma/PAS III alone (n = 4). The evaluation included variables with respect to the overall quality of the product (e.g., HSR, pH), the function (aggregation and activation tests), apoptosis (annexin V and caspase 3), and lysis.

Results: No differences were found in the product quality variables, in P-selectin expression, and the apoptosis variables. PCT using the T-bag SRD led to a significant decrease in aggregation capacity with collagen and thrombin and a significant increase in plasma LDH, whereas no differences for the Wafer SRD were found.

Conclusion: PCT using the experimental T-bag SRD led to a significant decrease in platelet function. However, the commercially available Wafer SRD had only minor in vitro effects on the quality of the platelets.