Impact of Storage Period on CD4+/CD8+ T Lymphocyte Ratio in Erythrocyte Suspensions

Abstract

Introduction: Some immunologic changes in the recipient derived by allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) are called Transfusion Related Immune Modulation (TRIM). Despite the exact mechanisms of these changes are not known, it is thought that ABT causes a decrease of CD4/CD8 ratio in the recipient. This study aimed to determine the CD4/CD8 ratio in stored erythrocyte suspensions (ES) and to obtain new information about TRIM mechanisms.Materials and Methods: Whole blood components used in our study were collected from 10 healthy volunteers. ES' obtained from whole blood were divided into three equal aliquots. Test samples which were related to 0th, 21st and 42nd storage days were prepared from these aliquots. CD3, CD4 and CD8 surface markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated with flow-cytometer in these test samples.Results: Our data were evaluated according to storage days. Decrease of CD3 (p=0,001), CD4 (p<0,001), CD8 (p=0,012) expressing mononuclear blood cells and helper T cells in 21st-day samples, CD4 (p=0,035) and CD8 (p=0,017) expressing cells in 42nd-day samples compared to Day 0 samples and increase of CD3 (p=0,027) expressing cells in 42nd-day samples compared to 21st-day samples were found statistically significant.Conclusion: In our study, we did not find any significant change in the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) cells in ES. Detailed studies can help us to obtain more comprehensive knowledge on this field.