Properties of neutrophils collected by discontinuous-flow centrifugation leukapheresis employing hydroxyethyl starch.

The properties of neutrophils, collected by discontinuous-flow centrifugation leukapheresis in the presence of hydroxyethyl starch and citrate were studied in an attempt to insure that cells harvested in this fashion are suitable for transfusion. Neutrophils obtained from leukocyte units prepared for transfusion by leukapheresis were found to perform similarly to those isolated from the venous blood of corresponding donors prior to the pheresis procedures when assessed by morphology, viability, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, superoxide anion generation, nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, chemiluminescence, adherence to nylon fibers, random mobility, chemotaxis and staphylococcal killing. The results compared favorably with values previously established for healthy control subjects. Neutrophils prepared in this manner should serve as a satisfactory blood component.