Biotinylated Platelets: A Promising Labeling Technique?

• Published in: Transfusion medicine reviews Vol. 37; no. 2; p. 150719
• Main Authors: van Wonderen, Stefan F., van Baarle, Floor L.F., de Bruin, Sanne, Peters, Anna L., de Korte, Dirk, van Bruggen, Robin, Vlaar, Alexander P.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2023
• Subjects: Biotin; Blood donation; Blood Platelets - physiology; Blood Preservation; Cell Survival; Humans; Labeling; Platelet; Platelet survival; Platelet Transfusion; Thrombocytopenia; Transfusion; Thrombocytopenia; PCs; ACD; BioRBCs; Transfusion; cPPP; PAS; TRALI; RBCs; Biotin; BioPLTs; TRAP; GMP; Platelet; NHS-LC-biotin; Platelet survival; SNP; NHS-biotin; Blood donation; Labeling; PLT(s)
• ISSN: 0887-7963; 1532-9496
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2023.01.001

•Biotin-labeling of platelets is a nonradioactive labeling method that allows discrimination of transfused platelets from native platelets in circulation.•Biotin-labeled platelets can be safely administered in humans, preferably at low density of biotin.•Recently published studies demonstrated the development of a standardized, reproducible protocol for labeling platelets with (different densities of) biotin.•In vivo research with biotin labeled platelets can be conducted to improve the quality of platelet products and study platelet recovery, survival, and post-transfusion physiology.
Labeling of platelets (PLTs) is essential for research purposes, in order to measure the recovery and survival of transfused PLTs in vivo. Biotinylation is a promising new alternative to the gold standard of radioactive labeling. This review highlights 4 key publications that provide significant insights into biotin-labeled PLTs (bioPLTs). Stohlawetz et al. established that transfusion of bioPLTs in human recipients is possible. De Bruin et al. developed a standardized, reproducible protocol for biotinylation of PLTs as a promising method to trace and isolate transfused PLTs in vivo, with reduced levels of PLT activation markers. Muret et al. developed a nonwashing biotin labeling method to implement in a blood bank environment. Finally, in a preclinical study, Ravanat et al. showed that different densities of biotin can be used to concurrently monitor multiple populations of human PLTs in the circulation of the same subject. These studies have made major contributions to the development of bioPLTs as a viable option for use in human research, and indicate that bioPLTs can be safely administered, preferably at a low density of biotin.