{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Measurement and analysis of ionic leakage profiles in refrigerated human red blood cells using dielectrophoresis and inductively coupled mass spectroscopy.
{Author}: Lavi ED;Gagnon Z;
{Journal}: Electrophoresis
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 7
{Factor}: 3.595
{DOI}: 10.1002/elps.202300049
{Abstract}: Human red blood cells (RBCs) undergo ionic leakage through passive diffusion during refrigerated storage, affecting their quality and health. We investigated the dynamics of ionic leakage in human RBCs over a 20-day refrigerated storage period using extracellular ion quantification and dielectrophoresis (DEP). Four type O- human blood donors were examined to assess the relationship between extracellular ion concentrations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Fe2+), RBC cytoplasm conductivity, and membrane conductance. A consistent negative correlation between RBC cytoplasm conductivity and membrane conductance, termed the "ionic leakage profile" (ILP), was observed across the 20-day storage period. Specifically, we noted a gradual decline in DEP-measured RBC cytoplasm conductivity alongside an increase in membrane conductance. Further examination of the electrical origins of this ILP using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed a relative decrease in extracellular Na+ concentration and an increase in K+ concentration over the storage period. Correlation of these extracellular ion concentrations with DEP-measured RBC electrical properties demonstrated a direct link between changes in the cytoplasmic and membrane domains and the leakage and transport of K+ and Na+ ions across the cell membrane. Our analysis suggests that the inverse correlation between RBC cytoplasm and membrane conductance is primarily driven by the passive diffusion of K+ from the cytoplasm and the concurrent diffusion of Na+ from the extracellular buffer into the membrane, resulting in a conductive reduction in the cytoplasmic domain and a subsequent increase in the membrane. The ILP's consistent negative trend across all donors suggests that it could serve as a metric for quantifying blood bank storage age, predicting the quality and health of refrigerated RBCs.