Background and objective: A simple test accurately predicting post-transfusion recovery of stored platelet concentrates (PCs) is needed.
Materials and methods: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was determined in fresh-frozen plasma of normal donors using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based assay. Post-transfusion recovery of human PCs was determined in rabbits with an inhibited reticuloendothelial system by flow cytometry.
Results: We demonstrated a strong positive (r = 0.91) and highly significant (P = 0.0015) correlation between the concentration of MMP-2 in plasma of normal donors and post-transfusion recovery of PCs stored for 5 days at 22 degrees C under standard blood banking conditions. A higher level of donor plasma MMP-2 is associated with improved recovery of transfused platelets.
Conclusion: These observations suggest that pre-transfusion MMP-2 assay of donor's plasma may be a predictor of post-transfusion recovery of PCs. However, the usefulness of this assay should be elucidated in clinical transfusion settings.