Relationship between the Third Component of Human Complement (C3) Bound to Stored Preserved Erythrocytes and Their Viability in vivo

Abstract

In this study we evaluated whether the 4 °C storage-induced coating of red blood cells (RBC) with molecules of the third component of human complement, C3, affects the viability of the preserved RBC. T o this end, we determined whether the amount of C3 bound to preserved RBC correlated with the 24-hour survival value. The % anti-C3c-induced agglutination of stored RBC provided an estimate of the amount of RBC-bound C3. In some cases, the number of RBC-bound C3c-containing molecules was also quantitated. The 24-hour survival of autologous RBC was measured in 114 cases. All units were initially stored at 4°C as RBC concentrates followed in 21 cases by frozen storage and in 75 cases by biochemical rejuvenation and frozen storage. The data showed a significant correlation between % anti-C3c-induced agglutination of the preserved RBC and the length of 4°C storage of the RBC concentrates. Neither freezing nor rejuvenation cleaved the C3c fragment from stored RBC. The 24-hour survival was significantly and negatively correlated with both the storage length of RBC concentrates at 4 °C and with the amount of RBC-bound C3 but not with RBC ATP level. These data suggest that the RBC-bound C3 either contributes to or is a marker for the extent of the preservation injury of RBC.