Relationship between interleukin-1 type 1 and 2 receptor gene polymorphisms and the expression level of membrane-bound receptors

The biological activity of the multifunctional cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) is mediated by its receptors. The aim of this study was to determine if an association exists between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-1 type 1 and 2 receptor genes (IL1R1 and IL1R2) and the expression level of membrane-bound IL1Rs on subpopulations of mononuclear cells or serum levels of soluble IL-1 receptors. It was observed that healthy individuals with the genotype TT in SNP rs2234650:C>T had a lower percentage of intact CD14⁺ monocytes expressing IL1R1 on their surface. The SNP rs4141134:T>C in IL1R2 has also been associated with the percentage of intact CD3⁺ T cells expressing IL1R2. Furthermore, individuals carrying the CC allele of SNP rs4141134:T>C and the TT allele of SNP rs2071008:T>G in IL1R2 had a lower density of IL1R2s on the surface of CD14⁺ monocytes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMC cultures. In summary, this study demonstrated that IL-1 receptor gene polymorphisms could be one of the factors influencing the expression of membrane-bound IL-1 receptors (IL1R) on immunocompetent cells.     

Suitable survival and half-life of red cells after frozen storage in excess of 10 years

To examine the appropriateness of the Food and Drug Administration's 10-year storage time for previously frozen red cells, 24-hour posttransfusion survival studies were performed, and the half-life of 3 units of autologous red cells that had been stored for 13.5, 14, and 17 years, respectively, was measured. The units had acceptable freeze-thaw-wash recovery (83.3-91.4%). When a 51Cr label was used for the previously frozen red cells and a simultaneous 52Cr label for freshly drawn autologous red cells was used as a comparison, it was seen that the previously frozen cells had normal 24-hour posttransfusion survival (75.1-88.4%) as well as normal half-life (23-33.7 days). These findings support further extension of the maximum allowable storage time for previously frozen red cells.