Biomaterial Database

Overcoming blood shortages: red blood cell and platelet substitutes and membrane modifications. 2004

Richard J Davey

New York Blood Center, 310 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA. rdavey@nybloodcenter.org

Blood shortages are increasingly common as the donor base declines and extensive restrictions on blood donation disqualify many donors. Red blood cell (RBC) and platelet substitutes have long been anticipated as alternatives to standard transfusions. However, difficulties in manufacturing, efficacy, and safety have slowed the development of these products. New understanding of the relationship between blood viscosity, oxygen transport, and vasoactivity have led to more effective RBC substitutes, several of which are in advanced clinical trials. In addition, creative approaches to RBC membrane modification, such as the enzymatic cleavage of ABH glycoproteins, may lead to a universal RBC. Advances in the understanding of platelet membrane behavior at low temperatures may lead to extended platelet storage at refrigerator temperatures. Standard transfusions of human RBCs and platelets will not be replaced soon. However, these new products will be a useful alternative for selected clinical applications and will lessen our dependence on our marginally adequate blood supply.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001782	Blood Donors	Individuals supplying blood or blood components for transfer to histocompatible recipients.	Blood Donor,Donor, Blood,Donors, Blood
D001792	Blood Platelets	Non-nucleated disk-shaped cells formed in the megakaryocyte and found in the blood of all mammals. They are mainly involved in blood coagulation.	Platelets,Thrombocytes,Blood Platelet,Platelet,Platelet, Blood,Platelets, Blood,Thrombocyte
D001793	Blood Preservation	The process by which blood or its components are kept viable outside of the organism from which they are derived (i.e., kept from decay by means of a chemical agent, cooling, or a fluid substitute that mimics the natural state within the organism).	Blood Preservations,Preservation, Blood,Preservations, Blood
D001802	Blood Substitutes	Substances that are used in place of blood, for example, as an alternative to BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS after blood loss to restore BLOOD VOLUME and oxygen-carrying capacity to the blood circulation, or to perfuse isolated organs.	Artificial Blood,Artificial Erythrocytes,Artificial Hemoglobin,Blood, Artificial,Erythrocyte Substitutes,Hemoglobin Substitutes,Red Cell Substitutes,Artificial Bloods,Artificial Erythrocyte,Artificial Hemoglobins,Blood Substitute,Bloods, Artificial,Cell Substitute, Red,Cell Substitutes, Red,Erythrocyte Substitute,Erythrocyte, Artificial,Erythrocytes, Artificial,Hemoglobin Substitute,Hemoglobin, Artificial,Hemoglobins, Artificial,Red Cell Substitute,Substitute, Blood,Substitute, Erythrocyte,Substitute, Hemoglobin,Substitute, Red Cell,Substitutes, Blood,Substitutes, Erythrocyte,Substitutes, Hemoglobin,Substitutes, Red Cell
D001803	Blood Transfusion	The introduction of whole blood or blood component directly into the blood stream. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Blood Transfusions,Transfusion, Blood,Transfusions, Blood
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D003432	Cross-Linking Reagents	Reagents with two reactive groups, usually at opposite ends of the molecule, that are capable of reacting with and thereby forming bridges between side chains of amino acids in proteins; the locations of naturally reactive areas within proteins can thereby be identified; may also be used for other macromolecules, like glycoproteins, nucleic acids, or other.	Bifunctional Reagent,Bifunctional Reagents,Cross Linking Reagent,Crosslinking Reagent,Cross Linking Reagents,Crosslinking Reagents,Linking Reagent, Cross,Linking Reagents, Cross,Reagent, Bifunctional,Reagent, Cross Linking,Reagent, Crosslinking,Reagents, Bifunctional,Reagents, Cross Linking,Reagents, Cross-Linking,Reagents, Crosslinking
D004338	Drug Combinations	Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture.	Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts