Platelet-derived HMGB1: critical mediator of SARs related to transfusion

An adverse reaction is an undesirable response in a patient associated with the administration blood component (BC) (1). The scientific community consents that platelets play a role in inflammatory responses (2). However, when transfusion is linked with SARs, most can be linked to an inflammatory state that is either apparent (allergy, FNHTR) or attributed by present understanding (alloimmunization) to such a state. The involvement of platelet concentrates (PC) in SARs could be related, at least in part, to the inflammatory functions of platelets acquired during storage lesions. We have previously shown an association between the levels of sCD40L, sCD62P, IL27, IL-13, sOX40L, and mitochondrial DNA in PCs and the risk for SARs (3).