Prolonged survival of viable, mitotically competent mononuclear leukocytes in stored whole blood.

Abstract

Earlier investigations on the survival of leukocytes in whole blood preserved in acid citrate dextrose (ACD) solution at 4°C. and in tissue cultures at 37°C. indicated that granulocytes were rapidly killed, presumably as a result of the toxicity of citrate.1 2 3 4 These conclusions were based on the loss of motility, a decrease in phagocytic ability and a marked decrease in the number of granulocytes. Mononuclear leukocytes had been noted to persist in bank blood for several weeks, but owing to the lack of technics for the assessment of the viability of these cells, it was generally assumed that they rapidly became . . .