Original Article2022-11-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Seung Kwon Koh 
, B.S., Jeehun Park , Ph.D., Seong-Eun Kim , B.S., Yuree Lim , M.S., Minh-Trang Thi Phan , Ph.D., Jinho Kim , B.S., Ilwoong Hwang , M.D., Yong-Oon Ahn , Ph.D., Sue Shin , M.D., Junsang Doh , Ph.D., and Duck Cho , M.D.
Abstract : Background: Adoptive cell therapy using umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells has shown encouraging results. However, because of the insufficient availability of NK cells and limited UCB volume, more effective culture methods are required. NK cell expansion and functionality are largely affected by the culture medium. While human serum is a major affecting component in culture media, the way it regulates NK cell functionality remains elusive. We elucidated the effects of different culture media and human serum supplementation on UCB NK cell expansion and functionality. Methods: UCB NK cells were cultured under stimulation with K562-OX40L-mbIL-18/21 feeder cells and IL-2 and IL-15 in serum-containing and serum-free culture media. The effects of the culture media and human serum supplementation on NK cell expansion and cytotoxicity were evaluated by analyzing the expansion rate, activating and inhibitory receptor levels, and the cytotoxicity of the UCB NK cells. Results: The optimal medium for NK cell expansion was Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/Ham’s F12 with supplements and that for cytotoxicity was AIM V supplemented with Immune Cell Serum Replacement. Shifting media is an advantageous strategy for obtaining several highly functional UCB NK cells. Live cell imaging and killing time measurement revealed that human serum enhanced NK cell proliferation but delayed target recognition, resulting in reduced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: Culture medium supplementation with human serum strongly affects UCB NK cell expansion and functionality. Thus, culture media should be carefully selected to ensure both NK cell quantity and quality for adoptive cell therapy.
Original Article2022-07-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Juhye Roh , M.D., Ph.D., Sinyoung Kim , M.D., Ph.D., June-Won Cheong , M.D., Ph.D., Su-Hee Jeon , M.S., Hyun-Kyung Kim , M.S., Moon Jung Kim , M.D., Ph.D., and Hyun Ok Kim , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: Reagent red blood cells (RBCs) are prepared from donated whole blood, resulting in various combinations of blood group antigens. This inconsistency can be resolved by producing RBCs with uniform antigen expression. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated directly from mature cells constitute an unlimited source for RBC production. We aimed to produce erythroid cells from iPSCs for diagnostic purposes. We hypothesized that cultured erythroid cells express surface antigens that can be recognized by blood group antibodies. Methods: iPSCs were co-cultured with OP9 stromal cells to stimulate differentiation into the erythroid lineage. Cell differentiation was examined using microscopy and flow cytometry. Hemoglobin electrophoresis and oxygen-binding capacity testing were performed to verify that the cultured erythroid cells functioned normally. The agglutination reactions of the cultured erythroid cells to antibodies were investigated to confirm that the cells expressed blood group antigens. Results: The generated iPSCs showed stemness characteristics and could differentiate into the erythroid lineage. As differentiation progressed, the proportion of nucleated RBCs increased. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed a sharp peak in the hemoglobin F region. The oxygen-binding capacity test results were similar between normal RBCs and cultured nucleated RBCs. ABO and Rh-Hr blood grouping confirmed similar antigen expression between the donor RBCs and cultured nucleated RBCs. Conclusions: We generated blood group antigen-expressing nucleated RBCs from iPSCs co-cultured with OP9 cells that can be used for diagnostic purposes. iPSCs from rare blood group donors could serve as an unlimited source for reagent production.
Original Article2022-11-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Young Ae Lim , M.D., Ph.D., Seo-Jin Park , M.D., Ph.D., and Hyun Soo Cho , M.S.
Abstract : Background: A paucity of studies evaluating failed cases of ABO grouping using autoanalyzers exists. We investigated autoanalyzer rejected cases, including serologically suspicious ABO subgroups and discrepant ABO blood grouping results from Erytra Eflexis (Grifols, Spain), to demonstrate efficient use of autoanalyzers for ABO grouping. Methods: Samples requested for ABO grouping throughout 2020 were tested using two Eflexis instruments and standard ABO RhD and reverse grouping cards. Neonatal cards were not used. When necessary, a conventional tube technique (TUBE) was used to resolve rejected/discrepant Eflexis ABO grouping results. Results: The overall sample rejection rate (RR) was 3.2% (628/19,466), 1.3% of which were due to various error flags and 1.9% for discrepant results. Cases from neonates ≤1 year old accounted for 35.3% of the rejected cases based on Eflexis results. The ABO groups with the highest and lowest RR (excluding neonates) were A and O, respectively. The 628 samples resulted in 682 rejections, which were frequently associated with reverse grouping, including 28.4% against A1 and 54.5% for B red cells. Among 14 serologically weakened A and/or B blood groups, six A2BW and two ABw, which had been missed by Eflexis, were detected using TUBE and our follow-up laboratory criteria. Conclusions: The ABO group and a proportion of neonatal samples influenced the RR due to weak reverse grouping reactivity, especially toward B red cells. Confirmatory ABO grouping by TUBE in a new patient and/or extra rejection criteria for forward grouping are needed to detect cis-AB, which is relatively common in Korea.
Original Article2022-11-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Hye Ryun Lee , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: Patients who experience clinical deterioration from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) require blood transfusion support. We analyzed blood component usage in COVID-19 patients and identified the predictors of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in elderly (≥65 years) patients. Methods: Blood component usage in 882 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January 24, 2020 and April 30, 2021 was analyzed. Elderly patients were categorized into transfused and non-transfused groups according to their RBC transfusion history; their demographic and clinical characteristics, disease severity, and outcomes were compared. Associations were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: The overall transfusion rate was 8.3% (73/882), and the transfusion rate was 2.7% (14/524) in patients aged
Brief Communication2023-01-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Xiuzhang Xu , Ph.D., Dawei Chen , Ph.D., Xin Ye , M.D., Wenjie Xia , Ph.D., Yuan Shao , Ph.D., Jing Deng , M.T., Yangkai Chen , M.T., Haoqiang Ding , M.T., Jing Liu , M.S., Yaori Xu , M.T., Sentot Santoso , Ph.D., and Yongshui Fu , M.D.
Abstract : Antibodies against human CD36 are responsible for several immune-mediated disorders. The detection of anti-CD36 antibodies using the standard monoclonal antibody (mAb) immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay is hampered by a high frequency of false-negative results, most likely due to competitive inhibition of the mAb used as the capture antibody. We generated a panel of mouse mAbs against CD36 and seven hybridomas (GZ-3, GZ-13, GZ-70, GZ-143, GZ-413, GZ-507, and GZ-608), which were selected for MAIPA assays, as they reacted with mouse and human CD36. Fourteen anti-CD36 sera were assayed; all of which showed a positive reaction in a PakPlus (Immucor GTI Diagnostics, Inc., Waukesha, WI, USA) ELISA-based screening (optical density: 0.257–2.292). When the reference anti-CD36 mAb FA6-152 was used in the MAIPA assay, only 6/14 (42.9%) sera displayed a positive reaction. In contrast, anti-CD36 antibodies were detected in 13/14 (92.9%) sera when GZ-70 and GZ-608 mAbs were used. This significant improvement resulted in the identification of anti-CD36 antibodies by an antigen capture assay. Since patient’s platelets possibly carrying rare native antigens are used, this method will facilitate the identification of new platelet antibodies against CD36 that are involved in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and other diseases, such as transfusion-related acute lung injury.
Letter to the Editor2022-11-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Bosung Park , M.D., Jin Seok Kim , M.T., Hee-Jeong Youk , M.D., Yousun Chung , M.D., Hyungsuk Kim , M.D., Sang-Hyun Hwang , M.D., Heung-Bum Oh , M.D., and Dae-Hyun Ko , M.D.
Original Article2023-03-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Sooin Choi , M.D., M.S., Soo Jeong Choi , M.D., Ph.D., Jeong Won Shin , M.D., Ph.D., and Young Ahn Yoon , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: The selective leukoreduction protocol (SLP) is limited in that patients who require it can be overlooked. We estimated SLP compliance (SLPC) using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership common data model (CDM). Methods: Patients were classified into eight groups: pre- and post-hematology disease (A and B), pre- and post-solid organ transplantation (C and D), solid cancer (E), immunodeficiency (F), anticancer therapy (G), and cardiovascular surgery (H). We examined the red blood cell (RBC) transfusion history from three hospital datasets comprising approximately three million patients over 20 years using CDM-based analysis. SLPC was calculated as the percentage of patients who received only leukoreduced RBCs in total patients transfused RBCs. Results: In total, 166,641 patients from three hospitals were enrolled in this study. From 2001 to 2021, SLPC in all groups, except H, tended to increase, although there were differences among the hospitals. Based on the most recent values (2017–2021), the SLPC in groups A, B, D, and G was maintained at ≥75% until 1,095 days before or after diagnosis or treatment. Groups E, F, and H had < 50% SLPC one day after diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: CDM analysis supports the review of large datasets for SLPC evaluation. Although SLPC tended to improve in most patient groups, additional education and monitoring are needed for groups that continue to show low SLPC.
Letter to the Editor2022-11-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Yousun Chung , M.D., Hyungsuk Kim , M.D., and Dae-Hyun Ko , M.D.
Letter to the Editor2023-01-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Go Eun Bae , M.D., Tae Yeul Kim , M.D., HongBi Yu , B.S., Ji-Young Seo , M.T., Jang Soo Suh , M.D., Ph.D., Soon Hee Chang , M.D., Ph.D., and Duck Cho , M.D., Ph.D.
Original Article2023-09-01 Transfusion and Cell Therapy
Sang Hyuk Park , M.D., Ph.D., Hyun-Ki Kim , M.D., Joseph Jeong , M.D., Ph.D., Seon-Ho Lee , M.D., Ph.D., Yoo Jin Lee , M.D., Ph.D., Yoo Jin Kim , M.D., Ph.D., Jae-Cheol Jo , M.D., Ph.D., and Ji-Hun Lim , M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract : Background: The BENTLEY score (B-S), French thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) Reference Center score (FTMA-S), and PLASMIC score (PLASMIC-S) have been developed for TMA diagnostic prediction. We retrospectively validated their predictive performances in patients with severe (
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