FDA Scientists link transfused UVB irradiated platelets with acute lung injury

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7/8 May 2024

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With a mouse model, scienists demonstrated a link between transfused UVB irradiated platelets and acute lung injury. The scientists at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that studies performed in animals provide a proof of a concept that transfused UV-light damaged PLTs can mediate lung injury. These studies suggest that patients whose lungs are already inflamed by an underlying condition or cause, could potentially suffer further lung damage if they receive a transfusion of platelets that were exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

The scientists at FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) conducted the study in response to an observation in a clinical trial where some patients who were transfused with platelets treated with UV light and a photosensitizing chemical to reduce the presence of pathogens (e.g., viruses and bacteria), appeared to be more likely to develop sudden respiratory distress.  

The scientific article  "Ultraviolet B light-exposed human platelets mediate acute lung injury in a two-event mouse model of transfusion" was published  at Transfusion, 2011, 51:2343-2357 by Monique P. Gelderman, Xuan Chi, Li Zhi, and Jaroslav G. Vostal, Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Division of Hematology, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD.

More details can be found in the report entitled "A mouse model demonstrates a link between transfused UVB irradiated platelets and acute lung injury".