Blood cell apoptosis/necrosis: some clinical and laboratory aspects.

Exposure of phosphatidyl-serine on blood cell membrane surface and microvesiculation as the hallmarks of apoptosis/necrosis were investigated. The effect of leukofiltration on the retention/generation of microvesicules, leukocyte subsets and major biological response modifiers were evaluated in a like study. It is concluded that apoptotic cells potentially contribute to transfusion reactions in donor/recipient-specific ways.