Abstract
Purpose: Platelets play a pivotal role in primary hemostasis, tissue repair, inflammation, and immunity. However, their short shelf life under storage conditions, coupled with the rising demands for platelet concentrates (PCs), has resulted in the paucity of these products in recent years. We investigated platelet apoptosis levels and the surface expressions of Siglec-7 (CD328) and P-Selectin (CD62P) on platelets at two different conditions. Methods: In this descriptive study, PCs were stored at 4oC and 24oC conditions. The expressions of Siglec-7, Annexin V, and CD62P on stored platelets were then measured by flow cytometry in the time span of 72 hours. Additionally, platelet counts were performed at each stage of the study. Results: The expression levels of both markers Siglec-7 and Annexin V showed a marked increase under both storage conditions over the 72-hour period. Furthermore, their expression was higher in 4oC compared to 24oC (P<0.05). Although CD62P expression on platelets increased throughout the experiment (4oC > 24oC), it declined by approximately 7% during the last 24 hours at 24oC. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a potential association between elevated Siglec-7 levels over a 72-hour period at both temperatures and platelet apoptosis. These preliminary results indicate that Siglec-7 may warrant further investigation as a molecular target for potentially extending platelet shelf life and improving the storage conditions of platelet products.