On the preservation of contractile proteins during storage of human
platelets
RC Lucas, J Lawrence and A Stracher
A study has been undertaken to determine the rate at which stored platelets
lose their ability to respond to stimuli and to establish whether this
decrease in function could be ascribed to the storage- induced proteolysis
of prominent platelet proteins observed by others. Platelet concentrates
were stored at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C for up to 14 days, and their
ability to secrete and aggregate in response to appropriate stimuli was
determined at 6, 96, and 192 hr after venipuncture. At each time point the
protein complement of the platelets was also monitored by
SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to assess the extent of
intracellular protein degradation. Platelets from concentrates stored at
either temperature exhibited a decreased ability to respond to stimuli as
storage time increased. After 8 days of storage at 4 degrees C and up to 9
days at 25 degrees C, no proteolysis of major platelet proteins was
observed; however, complete loss of platelet function was observed. This
strongly indicates that a decrease in platelet function should not be
causally linked to degraded contractile-structural proteins and that
extending the functional life of platelets during storage is still an
attainable goal since proteolysis is not the inevitable result of
short-term storage.
Volume 57,
Issue 6,
pp. 1005-1010,
06/01/1981
Copyright © 1981 by The American Society of Hematology
