Reyhaneh Abriyan,1Amir Atashi,2,*
1. Student Research Committee, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran 2. Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciecnes, Shahroud, Iran
Introduction: Platelet transfusion is a lifesaving procedure that is done to prevent bleeding or stop ongoing bleeding which is occurred in patients with low platelet or impaired functional platelet. Platelet is a scarce resource as its processing requires a great deal of precision to assure its quality. Recent advances in platelet transfusion research have been very significant. The most important of these advances has been in creating independent platelet donor production of platelets using stem cell technology. Using this technology, platelets can be generated that is sufficiently sure of the absence of the pathogens and also platelets antigens, especially HLA. Perhaps the most important achievement of this technology is the prevention of platelet refractory, which is commonly seen among patients receiving allogeneic platelet transfusion.
Methods: To produce platelets, c-MYC, BMI1, and BCL-XL genes are first transduced into megakaryocytes differentiated from induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). By doing this, the megakaryocytes turn into immortal cells (imMKCLs). Researchers have also been able to provide free feeder culture conditions for imMKCLs using drug combinations. Then, by placing these cells in a special bioreactor that has turbulent flows and under the influence of soluble factors such as macrophage migration inhibitory factor, insulin growth factor binding protein 2, and nardilysin secreted from imMKCLs, the process of thrombopoiesis is completed.
Results: The important point here is that researchers succeeded to experimentally transfused platelets produced in the above method into a patient with alloimmune platelet transfusion refractoriness.
Conclusion: This technology has made it possible to produce platelets in large quantities, safely and without dependence on donors. Certainly, with the introduction of these platelets into blood transfusion medicine, we will see a significant change in the field of platelet transfusion.