Stability of platelet surface antigens during storage.

We measured changes in A, B, 2H, PlA1, and HLA Class I antigens on human platelets stored as routine platelet concentrates (PCs) in 50 to 60 ml of citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) plasma in polyolefin (PL 732) bags at 22 degrees C with continuous cartwheel rotation. Samples were obtained at 1, 3, 5, and 10 days of storage; incubated with human IgG anti-A, -B, -HLA and -PlA1; incubated with mouse monoclonal 125I-labeled anti-human IgG; centrifuged through phthalate ester oils; and assayed in a gamma scintillation counter. Additionally, group O platelets were analyzed using 125I-labeled IgM mouse monoclonal anti-Type 2H. Mean values for molecules of Ig bound per platelet showed that platelet surface antigens A, B, 2H, PlA1, and HLA Class I showed no significant change during 10-day storage as routine PCs in CPD-A1 in PL 732 bags. Identical radioassays were performed with platelets incubated at 22 degrees C in plastic test tubes for 24 hours in homologous plasma from donors negative for the respective antigens and in a variety of artificial media with albumin and lipids. No significant changes occurred in any of the surface antigens, except for the loss of approximately 50 percent of the blood group A antigen from platelets stored in O plasma or in albumin media. These data indicate that HLA, PlA1, and type 2H structures do not readily dissociate from the platelet membrane during storage, while some blood group A antigens, presumably acquired passively from the plasma, will elute from the platelet under certain conditions. Routine storage conditions are unlikely to alter the immunogenicity of platelets due to a loss of antigen expression.