Transfusion Of Stored Red Blood Cells Activates An Inflammatory Program In Mouse Spleen That Is Enhanced By Endotoxemia

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of stored red blood cells (RBCs) induces a variable amount of erythrophagocytosis depending on the extent of RBC damage suffered from the storage lesion. Both murine and canine studies show that transfusion of RBCs after prolonged refrigerated storage leads to inflammation, as evidenced by increased post-transfusion levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. An analogous cytokine response was not observed in healthy humans volunteers. However, underlying inflammation may synergize with the cytokine response to stored RBCs; thus, results with healthy human volunteers may not reflect those with ill patients. Finally, plasma cytokine profiles may not accurately reflect local tissue responses at sites of erythrophagocytosis, such as the liver and spleen.