Harvesting of granulocytes for transfusion therapy by haemonetics 30. Yield, morphology and in vitro functions of collected granulocytes.

By means of a Haemonetics 30 blood cell separator white blood cells (WBC) were collected for transfusion purposes from 21 normal unstimulated donors. Citrated Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) was used as anticoagulant. A mean yield of 1.13 x 10(10) WBC was obtained in 2 1/2-3 h. Half of the collected WBC were PMN cells containing a few per cent band forms, the other half lymphocytes and monocytes (12%). No shift in the distribution of WBC was found during the leucapheresis. Light and electron microscopy did not reveal any damage or changes in the structure of the processed granulocytes. The Trypan blue exclusion test showed 99% vital cells. In vitro assessment of the chemotactic and bactericidal activity of the collected granulocytes showed normal function. Also the content of myeloperoxidase was within normal range.