Small molecule ice recrystallization inhibitors enable freezing of human red blood cells with reduced glycerol concentrations

Background: In North America, red blood cells (RBCs) are cryopreserved in a clinical setting using high glycerol concentrations (40% wt/vol) with slow cooling rates (1°C/min) before storage at −80°C, whereas European protocols use reduced glycerol concentrations with rapid freezing rates. After thawing and before transfusion, glycerol must be removed to avoid intravascular hemolysis. This is a time-consuming process requiring specialized equipment. Consequently, improvements in the RBC cryopreservation process are urgently required.

Source: Transfusion Medicine Reviews - September 22, 2015 Category: Hematology Authors: Jason P. Acker, Chantelle J. Capicciotti, Jayme D.R. Kurach, Tracey R. Turner, Ross S. Mancini, Robert N. Ben Source Type: research