Effects of hydroformylation treatment on the storage time and blood group antigen expressions of reagent red blood cells

Objective: To evaluate the effects of hydroformylation treatment on the storage time and blood group antigen expressions of reagent red blood cells (RBCs). Material and methods: RBCs from healthy donors were treated by using various final concentrations of paraformaldehyde (0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0%) and glutaraldehyde (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0%), and one aliquot was used as control (untreated with aldehydes). Supernatant free hemoglobin (FHb) levels in all groups stored at 4 degrees C were detected every week, and the optimal procedure was selected. Expression of blood group antigens on RBCs treated by the optimal procedure was determined, and the total scores of blood group antigens were calculated. Results: 0.2%, 0.5% and 1.0% Glutaraldehyde groups were ruled out directly due to serious crosslinking and aggregation of RBCs. As the extension of time, FHb levels in other 11 groups gradually increased (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). FHb level in 0.025% glutaraldehyde group was significantly lower than that in other groups after 13 weeks (p < 0.01), and the antigen strength of Fy(b), Jk(b), and Le(b) decreased slightly compared with those before treatment and storage (p < 0.05), and there was no significant change for antigen strength of A, B, D, C, E, c, e, M, N, S, s, k, P-1, Fy(a), Jk(a), and Le(a) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: 0.025% Glutaraldehyde treatment can provide optimal protection for the membrane of RBCs and keep hemolysis at a low level after 13 weeks storage, and the majority of blood group antigen systems are not significantly affected, and the slight decline of Fy(b), Jk(b), and Le(b) antigen strength was acceptable for classical serological tests. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.