The European Blood Alliance (EBA) has identified cold stored platelets (CSP) as a
priority for new blood products in the European Union. The introduction of CSP is
complicated by the lack of CSP-specific quality control measures, and the uncertainty
around which laboratory assays or platelet function tests best reflect the haemostatic
capacity of CSP. Progress towards answering these questions will further optimise
storage conditions for CSP thereby enabling the production of a durable, safe, and
effective product for transfusion.
Building on the expert knowledge and existing collaborative experience between the
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI; Researcher) and the Irish Blood
Transfusion Service (IBTS; Knowledge User), the proposed research addresses
these needs through four interrelated work packages (WP). WP1 will establish steps
to minimise the build-up of inflammatory mediators in CSP which could lead to
adverse transfusion reactions. WP2 extends this work by investigating the role of
platelet additive solutions on platelet phenotype and functionality. WP3 proposes to
use a novel approach to identify platelet signalling pathways associated with
declining platelet functionality during cold storage by employing RNA sequencing and
a comprehensive set of platelet function tests. The results from WP3 will inform
experiments in WP4 which will use specific additives to counteract cold-induced
platelet storage lesions.
The knowledge generated by this research will provide an evidence base to facilitate
local decision-making at the IBTS regarding the introduction of CSP as a new
product, and at a European level by providing information on CSP-specific quality
control parameters, optimal storage conditions, and delineating needs and suitable
approaches for further research into CSP.
