Small molecule ice recrystallization inhibitors as cryo-additives for red blood cell cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is a desirable method for the long-term storage of red blood cells (RBCs), providing access to a large quantity of RBC units required in emergency transfusions or patients with rare blood groups. Current cryopreservation methods employ high concentrations of glycerol; however, it must be removed from thawed RBCs prior to transfusion. Not only is the deglycerolization process costly and time-consuming, deglycerolized RBC units have a limited shelf life of 24 hours. As a result, the most widely used method for the storage of RBCs is refrigeration at 4°C in an additive solution up to 42 days. We postulate that ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs) can protect RBCs from cryo-injury occurring during the freezing and thawing processes and consequently, the concentration of glycerol may be reduced when used in combination with our IRIs. Ultimately, reducing the amount of glycerol would be highly desirable, as this would reduce deglycerolization times and allow quicker access to cryopreserved RBC units in emergency blood transfusions.

*Cofunded through a MITACs fellowship

BEN, Robert

University of Ottawa

Graduate Fellowship Program

Ontario

$82,000