PB0370 - Characterization of the human platelet glycome upon storage using tandem mass spectrometry

Background: Changes in surface glycan determinants, specifically sialic acid loss, determine platelet life span. The gradual loss of stored platelet quality, known as platelet storage lesion, is a complex process that fundamentally involves carbohydrate structures.

Aims: To determine the platelet Glycome of fresh and room temperature stored platelets.

Methods: We applied lipophilic extraction and glycan release protocols to sequentially profile glycosphingolipids, N- and O-linked glycans using freshly isolated and seven-day stored platelets. Analytical methods including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MSn), and liquid chromatography (LC) were used to obtain structural details of selected glycans and terminal epitopes.

Results: The fresh platelet repertoire of surface structures observed diverse N-glycans, including high mannose and multiple polylactosamine repeats, and blood group glycans. O-glycans consisted of sialylated and fucosylated core-1 and core-2 structures. Lactosyl- and globo- series structures and sialylated gangliosides dominated glycosphingolipids. We observed a loss of sialylated O-glycans and a reciprocal increase in neutral structures following platelet storage at room temperature.

Conclusion(s): The data indicate that loss of sialylated O-glycans is associated with platelet storage lesion and untimely removal of platelets following storage.