THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods for improving the quality of whole blood useful for transfusion to patients. Anaerobic storage of whole blood provides for reduced levels of cytokines and improved levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The improved blood compositions are useful for blood transfusions to cancer and trauma patients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] When stored conventionally, stored blood undergoes a steady deterioration which is associated with various storage lesions including, among others, hemolysis, hemoglobin degradation, and reduced ATP and 2,3-DPG concentrations. When transfused into a patient, the effects of the steady deterioration during storage manifest, for example, as a reduction in the 24-hour in vivo recovery. Because of these and other medical sequelae of transfusion of stored blood, a variety of approaches have been developed to minimize the effects of storage on blood and to improve medical outcomes. See, for example, Zimring et al , "Established and theoretical factors to consider in assessing the red cell storage lesion" in Blood, 725:2185-90 (2015).

[0003] A number of approaches have been developed aimed at minimizing storage lesions and improving transfusion outcomes. One approach has been the development of additive solutions included during storage. Examples of this approach include U.S. Patent No. 4,769,318 to Hamasaki et al. and U.S. Patent No. 4,880,786 to Sasakawa et al. which are directed to additive solutions for blood preservation and activation. For example, Rejuvesol ^® (available from Citra Lab LLC, Braintree, MA) is added to blood after cold storage {i.e. , 4°C) just prior to transfusion or prior to freezing {i.e. , at -80°C with glycerol) for extended storage. U.S. Patent No. 6,447,987 to Hess et al. is directed to additive solutions for the refrigerated storage of human red blood cells. An alternative approach is to freeze the blood and prevent the development of storage lesions. Storage of frozen blood is known in the art, but such frozen blood has limitations. U.S. Patent No. 6,413,713 to Serebrennikov is directed to a method of storing blood at temperatures below 0°C. See Chaplin et al , "Blood Cells for Transfusion," Blood, 59: 1118-20 (1982), and Valeri et al , "The survival, function, and hemolysis of human RBCs stored at 4 degrees C in additive solution (AS-1, AS-3, or AS-5) for 42 days and then biochemically modified, frozen, thawed, washed, and stored at 4 degrees C in sodium chloride and glucose solution for 24 hours," Transfusion, 40: 1341-5 (2000). Another approach relates to the containers for blood storage as provided by U. S. Patent No. 4,837,047 to Sato et al.

[0004] One approach that has proven successful in improving blood quality and extending its utility is through the depletion of oxygen and storage under anaerobic conditions. U.S. Patent No. 5,624,794 to Bitensky et al , U. S. Patent No. 6,162,396 to Bitensky et al , and U.S. Patent No. 5,476,764 to Bitensky are directed to the storage of red blood cells under oxygen- depleted conditions. U.S. Patent No. 5,789, 151 to Bitensky et al is directed to blood storage additive solutions. Among the benefits of storing blood under oxygen depleted conditions are improved levels of ATP and 2,3-DPG, and reduced hemolysis. Storing blood under oxygen depleted conditions can also result in reduced microparticle levels, reductions in the loss of deformability, reduced lipid and protein oxidation and higher post transfusion survival when compared to blood stored under conventional conditions.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,162,396 to Bitensky et al. (the '396 patent) discloses anaerobic storage bags for blood storage that comprise an oxygen impermeable outer layer, a red blood cell (RBC) compatible inner layer that is permeable to oxygen having an oxygen scrubber placed between the inner and outer layers.

[0006] While the effects of oxygen depletion on packed red blood cells has been explored, the effects of oxygen depletion on whole blood has not been reported. In part, the lack of studies on the deoxygenation of whole blood may be due to the expectation that deleterious effects are expected when platelets are deprived of oxygen. More specifically, given the critical role of platelets in the coagulation process, there were concerns that decreases in platelet function would result in coagulopathies and negative consequences to clinical outcomes.

[0007] Storage of platelets has been extensively studied to identify the most favorable conditions including temperature, pH, 0 ₂ and CO2 concentrations. The result of this work is the conclusion that for stored platelets to persist in a recipient after transfusion, platelets require access to oxygen and storage at room temperature. Murphy and Gardner noted in 1975 that unwanted morphological changes were associated with reduced oxygen

consumption. See, Murphy et al, "Platelet storage at 22 degrees C: role of gas transport across plastic containers in maintenance of viability," Blood 46(2) 209-2\ 8 (1975). The authors observed that increased access to oxygen allows for aerobic metabolism (oxidative phosphorylation) resulting in a reduced rate of lactate production. At low PO2 levels lactic acid production is increased consistent with the Pasteur effect. Moroff et al. noted that continuous oxygen consumption is required to maintain the pH of stored platelets at pH 7. See Moroff et al., "Factors Influencing Changes in pH during Storage of Platelet

Concentrates at 20-24°C," Vox Sanguinis 42(l):33-45 (1982). Specially tailored container systems allow permeability to carbon dioxide as well as oxygen to prevent a lethal drop in pH. As shown by Kakaiya et al., "Platelet preservation in large containers," Vox Sanguinis 46(2): \ 11-118 (1984), maintaining platelet quality was the result of improved gas exchange conditions obtained with increased surface area available for gas exchange. The importance of maintaining oxygen levels during platelet storage led to the development of gas permeable containers and storage of platelets in oxygen enriched atmospheres. See U.S. Patent No. 4,455,299, issued June 19, 1984, to Grode. The importance of oxygen to the viability of stored platelets was reinforced by the observation that in an oxygen poor environment, the lactate levels increased 5-8 fold. See Kilkson et al., "Platelet metabolism during storage of platelet concentrates at 22 degrees C," Blood 64(2) A06- (1984). Wallvik et al., "Platelet Concentrates Stored at 22°C Need Oxygen The Significance of Plastics in Platelet

Preservation," Vox Sanguinis 45(4):303-3\ \ (1983), reported that maintaining oxygen during the first five days of storage was critical for platelet preservation. Wallvik and co-workers also showed that the maximum platelet number that can be successfully stored for five days is predictable based on the determination of the oxygen diffusion capacity of the storage bag. See Wallvik et al, "The platelet storage capability of different plastic containers," Vox Sanguinis 58(l):40-4 (1990). By providing blood bags with adequate gas exchange properties, pH is maintained, the loss of ATP and the release of alpha-granular platelet Factor 4 (PF4) was prevented. Each of the foregoing references are hereby incorporated in their entireties.

[0008] These findings, among others, led to practice standardization ensuring the oxygenation of platelets during room temperature storage to maximize post-transfusion viability. When platelets are stored at refrigerated temperature, post-transfusion viability is lost, making such platelets unsuitable for prophylactic transfusion to oncology patients unable to produce their own platelets. On the other hand, platelets stored at refrigerated temperature maintain hemostatic functions when transfused to recipient. Thus, when giving platelets to patients suffering from traumatic bleeding, viability is less important than hemostatic activity. We demonstrate that anaerobic storage of refrigerated whole blood up to 3 weeks yields hemostatic activity consistent with refrigerated conventionally stored whole blood, clearly indicating that hemostatic activity of platelets is maintained with hypothermic storage, even though they are oxygen starved.

[0009] Though the depletion of oxygen in whole blood has been mentioned in the literature, the effects of anaerobic storage of whole blood has not been disclosed. As discussed above, it is well established that room temperature storage as well as oxygen is required during storage for long-term survival of platelets (PLT) (more than 24 hours) in recipients. However, for hemorrhagic trauma resuscitation, the long-term survival of PLT is not critical compared to its hemostatic potential. Recently, it became apparent that patients transfused with stored or fresh whole blood, as well as reconstituted whole blood (a mixture of plasma, red blood cells and platelets), have significantly lower post-trauma mortality. We recently discovered that cold storage enables anaerobic storage of PLT and also provides known advantages of anaerobically stored RBCs observed in packed red blood cells, in the whole blood. More specifically, while unexpectedly preserving the coagulability without introducing negative effects, deoxygenated whole blood provides for improved 2,3, -DPG levels. Over a storage period, the deformability of RBCs is maintained under deoxygenated conditions.

[0010] Oxidative damage during storage has been implicated as a major contributor to packed red blood cell (pRBC) membrane damage, as suggested by the accumulation of markers of lipid peroxidation, such as isoprostane. Increasing amounts of cytokines during storage duration may also play a role in storage lesion development with potential clinical implications for a negative transfusion outcome.

[0011] Certain patient populations are more susceptible to storage lesions than others. Among these more sensitive populations are, as non-limiting examples, trauma patients and cancer patients. Associated with the adverse clinical outcomes is the accumulation of biologic response modifiers (BRMs) that include cytokines that mediate inflammation, regulate cell growth, regulate angiogenesis and modulate t-helper cell function. Among these BRMs are interleukin 17 (IL-17), eotaxin (CCL11), basic FGF (bFGF), macrophage inflammatory protein la (MIP-la), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), platelet- derived growth factor (PDGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). See Behrens et al, "Accumulation of biologic response modifiers during red blood cell cold storage," Transfusion 49(Suppl3): \0A (2009). It has also been observed that cytokines accumulate during blood storage and these accumulated cytokines can be associated with negative outcomes when given perioperatively to cancer patients. See Benson et al. , "Accumulation of Pro-Cancer Cytokines in the Plasma Fraction of Stored Packed Red Cells," J Gastrointest Surg. 7(5:460-468 (2012). There is a need for methods of blood storage that result in reduced levels of BRMs and cytokines, thereby improving patient outcomes.

[0012] Traumatic injury accounts for 30% of life years lost in the US, outpacing cancer (16% of life years) and heart disease (12%). Trauma is the leading cause of death among 1- 46 year old patients. While death from hemorrhage often occurs within 24 hours of traumatic injury, early death (within 3-6 hours) due to massive hemorrhage is preventable with prompt and appropriate care.

[0013] Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) protocols describe the concept of using balanced ratios of blood components. DCR is rapidly becoming a standard for arresting hemorrhage and reversing shock for rapidly hemorrhaging trauma victims. In the civilian setting, current blood banking practice does not include whole blood inventory and thus DCR is conducted with a sequential transfusion of separated components (RBC, plasma and platelets) such that blood is 'reconstituted' in the recipient. Earlier this year, a large scale randomized controlled trial (RCT), Pragmatic Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR), was completed comparing the efficacy of transfusing 'reconstituted blood' at a 1 : 1 : 1 unit ratio (plasma, platelets and RBC) vs. a 1 : 1 :2 ratio to trauma patients with massive transfusion. In major trauma centers, massive transfusion kits combining prepackaged blood products consisting of thawed fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets and RBC at 1 : 1 : 1 ratios are now readily available.

[0014] Recent studies suggest that whole blood may be superior when treating patients with severe bleeding to control hemorrhage and reverse shock for patients with life- threatening bleeding. The 2015 proceedings of the NHLBI State of the Science in Transfusion Medicine Symposium prioritized the study of whole blood for patients with severe bleeding. Likewise, the THOR Network, an international group focused on damage control resuscitation, has prioritized the comparison of the efficacy and safety of whole blood to components for hemorrhagic shock. Since modern blood banks do not routinely supply whole blood, over 80% of level 1 trauma centers surveyed attempt to mimic the hemostatic, shock-reversing properties needed in massive transfusion protocols with plasma, platelets and red blood cells units at ratios of 1 : 1 : 1 to 1 : 1 :2 for both traumatic and non-traumatic life- threatening bleeding cases. Logistically providing all three blood components rapidly and safely is difficult, especially given the need to thaw plasma at centers where an inventory of thawed plasma is not immediately available. Recent data also indicates that storage of whole blood at 4°C for up to 14 days maintains platelet function and global hemostatic efficacy that is superior to storage at 22 °C.

[0015] In addition to a need for blood banks to provide whole blood for use in certain patient populations, the ability to conserve valuable blood resources is important. In particular, blood banks typically discard whole blood stocks after 2 weeks (even though FDA regulations allow for longer usable lifetimes), thus failing to take advantage of a valuable and often scarce resource. Such ability to maximize the value of the blood resource is particularly useful for small hospitals that serve as Level III and Level IV trauma centers where an oxygen depleted hemostatic whole blood product can be maintained under anaerobic conditions and then processed for packed red blood cells. The present specification provides for improved whole blood quality for use in trauma patients, and further provides for an additional source of packed red blood cells having improved properties and reduced storage lesions. The present specification overcomes concerns regarding the wasting of valuable O- negative RBCS (typically used for whole blood transfusions). Thus, the anaerobic RBCs may be obtained from the oxygen reduced whole blood and recycled into oxygen depleted RBC units suitable for storage for up to six weeks. As provided herein, deoxygenated packed red blood cells may be obtained from the unused oxygen depleted whole blood, used for transfusion, or stored for later use under anaerobic conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method for improving survival of a patient in need of multiple transfusions comprising providing stored red blood cells that have been oxygen reduced to a patient in need thereof receiving a medical procedure.

[0017] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method for improving survival of a cancer patient in need thereof following a perioperative blood transfusion comprising providing stored red blood cells that have been oxygen reduced to a cancer patient in need thereof receiving a surgical procedure.

[0018] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method for reducing pro- cancer cytokines in stored blood comprising depleting oxygen from the blood prior to storage comprising collecting blood in an anticoagulant solution, reducing the leukocytes from the collected blood, reducing the pre-storage oxygen saturation (S0 ₂ ) to 30% or less and a pre- storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide to less than 60 mmHg; and storing the oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced blood under anaerobic conditions.

[0019] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a blood composition for transfusion to a trauma patient in need thereof comprising deoxygenated leukoreduced whole blood in an anticoagulant solution and having a pre-storage oxygen saturation (SO ₂ ) of 20% or less and a pre-storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide of less than 60 mmHg wherein the deoxygenated leukoreduced whole blood has a 2,3-DPG level at 15 days that is greater than the initial 2,3-DPG level of the deoxygenated leukoreduced blood.

[0020] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method of reducing an inflammatory response in a patient receiving a blood transfusion comprising transfusing an oxygen depleted blood product to a patient in need thereof, wherein the oxygen depleted whole blood has reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines after storage under anaerobic conditions.

[0021] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method of reducing an immune response in a patient receiving a blood transfusion comprising transfusing an oxygen depleted blood product to a patient in need thereof, wherein the oxygen depleted blood product has reduced levels of a cytokine after storage under anaerobic conditions. In aspects according to the present disclosure, an immune response is an immune modulation or immune suppression. In other aspects, the immune response is an activation, including for example, inflammation.

[0022] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method for improving perfusion of oxygen in a patient in need thereof comprising transfusing an oxygen depleted blood product to a patient in need thereof, wherein the oxygen depleted blood product has higher RBC deformability compared to a conventionally stored blood product.

[0023] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method for managing a blood bank comprising maintaining an inventory of blood units comprising oxygen reduced whole blood and an anticoagulant, or oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood and an anticoagulant; providing one or more of the blood units from the inventory for treatment of a patient; and recycling blood units from the inventory to prepare component separated deoxygenated blood units. The present disclosure further provides for using recycled blood units to prepare reconstituted blood units for treatment of trauma patients requiring massive transfusions.

[0024] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method of providing a supply of blood products for transfusion medicine comprising depleting oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide from whole blood to prepare oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced whole blood; and storing the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced whole blood for a time period and providing the stored blood to a patient in need thereof; or storing the oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced whole blood for a time period, and preparing oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced packed red blood cells. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present disclosure is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figures 1A to ID are graphs displaying the results of cytokine measurements showing reduced levels of eotaxin (1A) and RANTES (IB) in anaerobically stored packed red blood cells. Figure 1C shows reduced levels of cell free hemoglobin compared to aerobically stored packed red blood cells. Figure ID shows reduced levels of isoprostane in anaerobically stored packed red blood cells. Dashed lines = aerobically stored blood; Solid lines = anaerobically stored blood.

[0027] Figures 2A to 2G are graphs presenting the results of two experiments according to the present disclosure comparing the storage of leukoreduced whole blood collected in anticoagulant solution CPD (LRWB/CPD) under oxygen reduced, oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced and conventionally stored LRWB/CPD over a period of 21 days. Figure 2A presents the levels 2,3-DPG. Figure 2B presents the levels of ATP. Figure 2C presents the pH. Figure 2D presents the platelet count. Figure 2E presents potassium levels. Figure 2F presents the data of Figure 2A re-plotted relative to the levels of 2,3-DPG at day 0 (T ₀ ). Figure 2G presents the data of Figure 2B re-plotted relative to the levels of ATP at day 0 (To). Key: sample c68/80 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 68% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 80 mmHg; sample c50/94 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 50% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 94 mmHg; sample sc91/75 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 91% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 75 mmHg; sample sc69/87 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 69% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 87 mmHg; sample tc5/78 is oxygen depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 5% and a partial pressure of C0 ₂ of 78 mmHg; sample tc7/64 is oxygen depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 7% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 64 mmHg; sample T5/28 is oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 5% and a partial pressure of C0 ₂ of 28 mmHg; sample T4/26 is oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 4% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 26 mmHg.

[0028] Figures 3A to 3D are graphs presenting the results of two experiments according to the present disclosure comparing the storage of leukoreduced whole blood collected in anticoagulant solution CPDA1 (LRWB/CPDA1) under oxygen reduced, oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDA1 over a period of 21 days. Figure 3A presents the levels 2,3-DPG. Figure 3B presents the levels of ATP. Figure 3C presents the data of Figure 3A re-plotted relative to the levels of 2,3-DPG at day 0 (T ₀ ). Figure 3D presents the data of Figure 3B re-plotted relative to the levels of ATP at day 0 (T ₀ ). Key: sample c32/98 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 32% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 98 mmHg; sample c56/86 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 56% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 86 mmHg; sample sc59/95 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 59% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 95 mmHg; sample sc82/84 is conventionally stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 82% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 84 mmHg; sample tc7/80 is oxygen depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 7% and a partial pressure of C0 ₂ of 80 mmHg; sample tc6/77 is oxygen depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 6% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 77 mmHg; sample T5/28 is oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 5% and a partial pressure of C0 ₂ of 28 mmHg; sample T7/23 is oxygen and carbon dioxide depleted, anaerobically stored blood having an initial oxygen saturation of 7% and a partial pressure of CO2 of 23 mmHg.

[0029] Figures 4A to 4C are graphs presenting the results of experiments according to the present disclosure comparing the storage of leukoreduced whole blood collected in anticoagulant solution CPDA1 (LRWB/CPDA1) under oxygen reduced (OR), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced (OCR) and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDA1 over a period of 21 days. Figure 4A presents the levels of ATP in OR-LRWB/CPDA1, OCR-LRWB/CPDA1 and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDA1. Figure 4B presents the levels of 2,3-DPG in OR- LRWB/CPDA1, OCR-LRWB/CPDA1 and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDA1. Figure 4C presents the percent hemolysis in OR-LRWB/CPDA1, OCR-LRWB/CPDA1 and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDA1. In graphs presented in Figures 4A to 4C, small dashed lines = OR-LRWB/CPDA1 stored blood, dashed lines = ORC-LRWB/CPDA1 stored blood, and solid lines = conventionally stored blood.

[0030] Figures 5A to 5D are graphs presenting the results of experiments according to the present disclosure comparing the storage of leukoreduced whole blood collected in anticoagulant solution CPDA1 (LRWB/CPDA1) under oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDA1 over a period of 21 days. Figure 5A presents activated Partial Thrombin Time in seconds (aPTT) in OCR-LRWB/CPDA1 and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 5B presents prothrombin time in seconds (PT) in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 5C presents the levels of Fibrinogen in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 5D presents the levels of D-dimer in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl. In graphs presenting plasma coagulation parameters, dashed lines = ORC- LRWB/CPDA1 stored blood, and solid lines = conventionally stored blood.

[0031] Figures 6A to 6E are graphs presenting the results of experiments according to the present disclosure comparing the storage of leukoreduced whole blood collected in anticoagulant solution CPDAl (LRWB/CPDAl) under oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl over a period of 21 days. Figure 6A presents levels of Factor V in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 6B presents levels of Factor VIII in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl. Figure 6C presents Protein C activity in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 6D presents Protein S activity in OCR- LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 6E presents levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl. In graphs presenting plasma clotting factors, dashed lines = ORC- LRWB/CPDA1 stored blood, and solid lines = conventionally stored blood.

[0032] Figures 7A to 7D are graphs presenting the results of experiments according to the present disclosure comparing the storage of leukoreduced whole blood collected in anticoagulant solution CPDAl (LRWB/CPDAl) under oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced (OCR) and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl over a period of 21 days. Figure 7A presents the speed at which fibrin build up and crosslinking takes place (TEG Angle) in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . Figure 7B presents a comparison of blood kinetics (TEG K) in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl. Figure 7C presents the maximum amplitude in OCR-LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl. Figure 7D presents the reaction time in OCR- LRWB/CPDAl and conventionally stored LRWB/CPDAl . In graphs presenting thromboelastography (TEG) parameters, dashed lines = ORC -LRWB/CPDAl stored blood, and solid lines = conventionally stored blood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms as used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. One skilled in the art will recognize many methods can be used in the practice of the present disclosure. Indeed, the present disclosure is in no way limited to the methods and materials described. Any references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties. For purposes of the present disclosure, the following terms are defined below.

[0034] As used herein, the term "patient" includes a person in need of a medical procedure receiving a blood product.

[0035] As used herein, the term "multiple transfusion" includes a patient receiving more than 195 units of blood. In another aspect, a multiple transfusion can include a patient receiving at least lxlO ⁵ mL of blood. In another aspect, multiple transfusion includes a patient receiving from 1 to lxlO ⁵ mL of blood. In another aspect, multiple transfusion includes a patient receiving from lxlO ⁴ to lxlO ⁵ mL of blood.

[0036] As used herein, the term "blood" refers to whole blood, leukoreduced RBCs, platelet reduced RBCs, and leukocyte and platelet reduced RBCs. The term blood further includes packed red blood cells, platelet reduced packed red blood cells, leukocyte reduced packed red blood cells (LRpRBC), and leukocyte and platelet reduced packed red blood cells. The temperature of blood can vary depending on the stage of the collection process, starting at the normal body temperature of 37 °C at the time and point of collection, but decreasing rapidly to about 30 °C as soon as the blood leaves the patient's body and further thereafter to room temperature in about 6 hours when untreated, and ultimately being refrigerated at between about 4 °C and 6 °C.

[0037] As used herein, "blood product" includes separated platelets, plasma, or white blood cells.

[0038] As used herein, "recovered blood product" includes separated platelets, plasma, or white blood cells collected from a donor.

[0039] As used herein, "recovered blood" includes whole blood and red blood cells collected from a donor and previously stored under oxygen reduced conditions. In one aspect of the present disclosure, suitable blood for use in this method includes oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OR-LRpRBC), oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OCR-LRpRBC), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT) obtained from oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) after at least one week of storage. In another aspect, the suitable blood for use in this method is stored for up to 42 days. In another aspect, the suitable blood for use in this method is stored for up to 56 days. In another aspect, the suitable blood for use in this method is stored for up to 64 days.

[0040] As used herein, a method of obtaining "component separated blood products" includes obtaining recycled blood from a blood bank inventory and separating into platelets, plasma, and white blood cells. Suitable blood for use in this method comprises oxygen reduced whole blood having an anticoagulant and oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood having an anticoagulant. In an aspect of the present disclosure, a component separated oxygen reduced blood is stored for up to six weeks. In another aspect, a component separated oxygen reduced blood includes an additive solution. In certain aspects, the additive solution may be AS-1. In certain aspects, the additive solution is AS-3 (Nutricel ^® ). In certain aspects, the additive solution is AS-5. In certain aspects, the additive solution is SAGM. In certain aspects, the additive solution is PAGG-SM. In certain aspects, the additive solution is PAGG-GM. In certain aspects, the additive solution is MAP. In certain aspects, the additive solution is SOLX. In certain aspects, the additive solution is ESOL. In certain aspects, the additive solution is EAS61. In certain aspects, the additive solution is OFAS1. In certain aspects, the additive solution is OFAS3. In certain aspects, the additive solution is a combination of AS-1, AS-3 (Nutricel ^® ), AS-5, SAGM, PAGG-SM, PAGG-GM, MAP, SOLX, ESOL, EAS61, OFAS1, and OFAS3, alone or in combination.

[0041] As used herein, "reconstituted WB" includes providing platelets, RBC, and plasma in parallel to a patient during transfusion.

[0042] As used herein, "derived WB" includes oxygen reduced and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced whole blood.

[0043] As used herein, "stored red blood cells" includes oxygen reduced or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced red blood cells stored from 1 to 6 °C. In an aspect, stored red blood cells include red blood cells (RBC) present in whole blood. In another aspect, stored red blood cells include RBC present in leukoreduced whole blood. In another aspect, stored red blood cells include red blood cells (RBC) present in leukoreduced RBC. In a further aspect, stored red blood cells include red blood cells (RBC) present in platelet reduced RBC. In yet another aspect, stored red blood cells include red blood cells (RBC) present in leukoreduced and platelet reduced RBC.

[0044] As used herein, "whole blood" includes white blood cells (WBCs), platelets suspended in plasma, and includes electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, etc. In whole blood, white blood cells are normally present in the range of between 4.5 and 11.0 x 10 ⁹ cells/L, and the normal RBC range at sea level is 4.6-6.2 x 10 ¹² /L for men and 4.2-5.4 x 10 ¹² /L for women. The normal hematocrit, or percent packed cell volume, is about 40-54% for men and about 38-47% for women. The platelet count is normally 150-450 x 10 ⁹ /L for both men and women. Whole blood is collected from a blood donor, and is usually combined with an anticoagulant. Whole blood, when collected is initially at about 37 °C and rapidly cools to about 30 °C during and shortly after collection, but slowly cools to ambient temperature over about 6 hours. Whole blood may be processed according to methods of the present disclosure at collection, beginning at 30-37 °C, or at room temperature (typically about 25 °C). As used herein, a "unit" of blood is about 450-500 ml including anticoagulant. Suitable anticoagulants include CPD, CPDA1, ACD, and ACD-A. As used herein, "time collected" (Tc) is the time at which blood is collected from the patient.

[0045] As used herein, "red blood cells" (RBCs), stored red blood cells, oxygen reduced red blood cells, and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced red blood cells, include RBCs present in whole blood, leukoreduced RBCs, platelet reduced RBCs, leukocyte and platelet reduced RBCs, and packed red blood cells (pRBCs). Human red blood cells in vivo are in a dynamic state. The red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and gives red blood its color. The percentage of blood volume composed of red blood cells is called the hematocrit. As used herein, unless otherwise limited, RBCs also includes packed red blood cells (pRBCs). Packed red blood cells are prepared from whole blood using centrifugation techniques commonly known in the art. As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the hematocrit of pRBCs is about 70%. As used herein, oxygen reduced RBC (OR-RBC) can include oxygen and carbon dioxide (OCR-) reduced RBC (OCR-RBC)

[0046] As used herein, "leukoreduced whole blood" (LRWB) includes whole blood having an anticoagulant that has been treated to remove white blood cells and platelets, usually by filtration or centrifugation. Leukoreduced whole blood has levels of white blood cells that are reduced by at least 5 logs.

[0047] As used herein, "oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood" (OR-LRWB) can include oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB).

[0048] As used herein, "leukoreduced whole blood with platelets" (LRWB+PLT) includes oxygen reduced (OR-) whole blood having an anticoagulant and leukoreduced with a platelet- sparing filter. As used herein, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+ PLT) can include oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT).

[0049] As used herein, "leukoreduced packed red blood cells" (LRpRBC) includes packed red blood cells having oxygen reduced (OR-) whole blood having an anticoagulant that has been treated to remove white blood cells, usually by filtration or centrifugation. As used herein, oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OR-LRpRBC) can include oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OCR-LRpRBC).

[0050] As used herein, "leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets" (LRpRBC+PLT) includes packed red blood cells having platelets obtained from oxygen reduced whole blood having an anticoagulant that has been treated to remove white blood cells with a platelet-sparing filter. As used herein, oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT) can include oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT).

[0051] In aspects of the present disclosure, the method and compositions may include adding an additive solution to the packed RBCs to form a suspension. A number of additive solutions are known in the art. In certain aspects, the additive solution may be selected from the group consisting of AS-1, AS-3 (Nutricel ^® ), AS-5, SAGM, PAGG-SM, PAGG-GM, MAP, AS-7, ESOL-5, EAS61, OFAS1, and OFAS3, alone or in combination. Additive AS-1 is disclosed in Heaton et al, "Use of Adsol preservation solution for prolonged storage of low viscosity AS-1 red blood cells," Br J Haematol, 57(¾ ⁾ :467-78 (1984). In a further aspect, the additive solution may have a pH of from 5.0 to 9.0. In another aspect, the additive may include an antioxidant. In some aspects according the present disclosure, the antioxidant may be quercetin, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, or enzyme inhibitors for oxidases.

[0052] As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %.

[0053] The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "having," and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to."

[0054] The term "consisting of means "including and limited to."

[0055] The term "consisting essentially of means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.

[0056] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

[0057] Throughout this application, various aspects of this disclosure may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as "from 1 to 6" should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as "from 1 to 3," "from 1 to 4," "from 1 to 5," "from 2 to 4," "from 2 to 6," "from 3 to 6," etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0058] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

[0059] As used herein the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques, and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques, and procedures either known to or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques, and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical, and medical arts.

[0060] As used herein, the term "equivalent" means that the measured values of oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT), when compared the measured values of otherwise equivalently treated conventionally stored blood, are within 1 standard deviation of each other with a sample size of at least 5 for each compared measured condition.

[0061] As used herein, the term "greater" or "increased" means that the measured values of oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT), when comparedOR-WB, when compared to the measured values of otherwise equivalently treated conventionally stored blood, are at least 1 standard deviation greater, with a sample size of at least 5 for each compared measured condition. [0062] As used herein, the term "decreased" or "less" means that the measured values of oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT), when comparedOR-WB, when compared to the measured values of otherwise equivalently treated conventionally stored blood, are at least 1 standard deviation lower, with a sample size of at least 5 for each compared measured condition.

[0063] As used herein, the terms "conventionally stored," "conventional storage," and "conventional conditions" include whole blood, leukoreduced RBCs, platelet reduced RBCs, leukocyte and platelet reduced RBCs, packed red blood cells, platelet reduced packed red blood cells, leukocyte reduced packed red blood cells (LRpRBC), and leukocyte and platelet reduced packed red blood cells stored in oxygen and carbon dioxide permeable container at 1 to 6 °C without gas reduction steps prior to storage. In an aspect of the present disclosure, both oxygen and carbon dioxide increase to ambient levels over time in conventionally stored whole blood, leukoreduced RBCs, platelet reduced RBCs, leukocyte and platelet reduced RBCs, packed red blood cells, platelet reduced packed red blood cells, leukocyte reduced packed red blood cells (LRpRBC), and leukocyte and platelet reduced packed red blood cells, due to oxygen and carbon dioxide container permeability. While not traditionally considered conventional, for the purposes of the present disclosure, conventional storage can include storage at temperatures above 6 °C. Also, while not traditionally considered conventional, for the purposes of the present disclosure, conventional storage can include storage at freezing temperatures.

[0064] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods to provide desirable characteristics to blood products for transfusion. It has been discovered that depletion of oxygen from packed red blood cells results in reduced accumulations of unbound cytokine, particularly RANTES (C-C motif chemokine ligand 5, CCL5) and eotaxin (C-C motif chemokine ligand 11, CCL11), as well as cell-free hemoglobin, and 8-isoprostane F _2a . Not to be limited by theory, it is thought that RANTES and eotaxin are normally sequestered by binding to the DARC (atypical chemokine receptor 1, ACKR1) and oxidative stress damages DARC and releases the bound chemokines. Thus, while overall content of the chemokines does not change, the effective concentration (e.g. , freely diffusible and unbound) increases and is then available to affect a transfused patient. As will be understood, the presence of these active chemokines (acting in a dose dependent manner) can be detrimental to trauma and other patients receiving two or more transfusions. These findings demonstrate an unexpected benefit of anaerobically stored blood, in addition to the desirable efficient oxygen delivery associated with elevated 2,3-DPG values, and provides a potential reduction in some of the components of the storage lesion resultant from pRBC oxidative damage during storage. These cytokines are known to be negatively associated with patient outcome in some patient populations. Accordingly, the discovery that unbound cytokine accumulation can be reduced provides for improved methods of treating patients susceptible to cytokines.

[0065] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, improving the survival of a patient in need of multiple transfusions by providing stored red blood cells that have been oxygen reduced (OR-stored RBCs) to a patient in need thereof receiving a medical procedure. Not to be limited by theory, it is believed that increased levels of cytokines have adverse effects on recipient patients that increases morbidity. In an aspect, the stored red blood cells are oxygen reduced (OR). In a further aspect, the stored red blood cells are both oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced (OCR). As shown in the examples, in OCR samples, the levels of ATP are decreased and maintained at lower levels for at least 15 days, while in OR samples, the levels of ATP are increased compared to conventionally stored samples (see Figure 4A). As shown in the examples, in OCR samples, the levels of 2,3-DPG are increased and maintained at high levels for at least 15 days, while in OR samples, 2,3-DPG levels are increased over conventional storing but not as high as 2,3-DPG levels of OCR samples (see Figure 4B). Further, as shown in the examples, hemolysis is equivalent in OR, OCR, and conventionally stored samples.

[0066] In an aspect of the present disclosure, cytokines comprise monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). In another aspect, cytokines comprise regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). In another aspect, cytokines comprise angiogenin. In another aspect of the present disclosure, cytokines comprise tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). In another aspect, cytokines comprise epidermal growth factor (EGF). In a further aspect, cytokines comprise platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).

[0067] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the level of the factor RANTES is less than 500 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor RANTES is less than 400 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor RANTES is less than 300 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor RANTES is more than 100 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In a further aspect, the level of the factor RANTES is from 0 to 300 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. [0068] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the level of the factor eotaxin is less than 150 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor eotaxin is less than 100 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor eotaxin is from 0 to 100 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor eotaxin is preferably 100 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In another aspect, the level of the factor eotaxin is more than 100 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions. In a further aspect, the level of the factor eotaxin is from 0 to 300 pg/ml after 21 days under OR conditions.

[0069] In aspects according to the present disclosure, the OR-stored RBCs are selected from the group consisting of oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OR-LRpRBC), oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OCR-LRpRBC), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT), and combinations thereof. In other aspects, wherein said OR-stored RBCs comprise oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT).

[0070] In an aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a trauma patient. In another aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a transplant patient. In another aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a cardiac surgery patient. In another aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is an obstetrics patient. In another aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a gastrointestinal (GI) surgery patient. In a further aspect, a patient is an orthopedic surgery patient.

[0071] In an aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a trauma patient. In another aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a hemorrhagic trauma patient. In a further aspect, a patient in need of multiple transfusions is a blunt trauma patient.

[0072] In an aspect, the reduction of cytokines in oxygen reduced stored packed red blood cells provides for improved treatment of cancer patients in need of blood transfusions. It is known in the art that cytokines are associated with negative patient outcome for patients receiving perioperative blood transfusions for surgical treatments of cancer patients. In an aspect, the oxygen depleted, cytokine reduced blood products are provided to a cancer patient prior to undergoing surgery. In another aspect, the oxygen depleted, cytokine reduced blood products are provided to a cancer patient during surgery. In another aspect, the oxygen depleted, cytokine reduced blood products are provided to a cancer patient following surgery.

[0073] In aspects according to the present disclosure, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has higher levels of 2,3-DPG compared to conventionally stored leukoreduced whole blood (WB) and provides for improved oxygen delivery. Under anaerobic conditions, 2,3-DPG levels can be maintained in whole blood for up to 4 weeks. In an aspect, the 2,3-DPG levels are maintained above 50% of physiologic levels for up to four weeks. In aspects according to the present disclosure, improved 2,3-DPG levels are maintained for at 2 weeks. In other aspects, 2,3-DPG levels are maintained for three weeks. In an aspect, the 2,3-DPG level of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is at least 80% or higher than the 2,3-DPG level of the blood at day zero. In another aspect, the 2,3-DPG level of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is at least 5 to 20 DPG μηιοΙ/gHb.

[0074] Also provided for and included in the present disclosure is oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that havedepleted whole blood (OR-WB) that has reduced levels of biological response modifiers (BRMs) relative to conventionally stored whole blood. In certain aspects, the BRM present in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of conventionally stored blood after 21 days. In an aspect, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has levels of cytokines that are relatively unchanged after 10 days in storage under anaerobic conditions. In another aspect, the cytokine level is relatively unchanged after 30 days of storage. In another aspect, the cytokine level is relatively unchanged after 40 days of storage. As used herein, "relatively unchanged" means that the concentration of cytokine, normalized to hemoglobin levels is within 1 standard deviation of the initial normalized concentration of cytokine.

[0075] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of the cytokine eotaxin compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of eotaxin in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of eotaxin present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of eotaxin in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of eotaxin present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0076] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of the cytokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of RANTES in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of RANTES present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of RANTES in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of RANTES present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0077] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of monocyte chemotactic protein- 1 (MCP-1) compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of MCP-1 in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of MCP-1 present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of MCP-1 in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of MCP-lpresent in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0078] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of angiogenin compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of angiogenin in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of angiogenin present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of angiogenin in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of angiogenin present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0079] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of TNF-a in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of TNF-a present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of TNF-a in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of TNF-a present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0080] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of EGF in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of EGF present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of EGF in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of EGF present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0081] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of sCD40L in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of sCD40L present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of sCD40L in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of sCD40L present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0082] In certain aspects, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has reduced levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) compared to conventionally stored whole blood. In an aspect, the level of PDGF in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about half the level of PDGF present in conventionally stored blood after 21 days, normalized to the hemoglobin concentration. In an aspect, the level of PDGF in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is about 25% or less of the level of PDGF present in conventionally stored blood after 40 days.

[0083] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that provides a reduced inflammatory response when transfused into a patient compared to conventionally stored oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT).

[0084] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB) that provides blood products having higher RBC deformability compared to conventionally stored blood products. In certain aspects, the blood product is a whole blood product. In another aspect, the blood product is leukoreduced whole blood. In another aspect, the blood product is leukoreduced and platelet reduced whole blood. In a further aspect, the blood product is leukoreduced packed red blood cells or leuko- and platelet-reduced packed red blood cells.

[0085] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB) that has coagulation parameters that are at least 75% of the coagulation parameter of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by thromboelastography (TEG). In an aspect, the TEG coagulation parameter of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a TEG coagulation parameter that is greater than the TEG coagulation parameter of conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the the TEG Angle is more than 40°. In another aspect, the TEG kinetics (K) is less than 5 mins. In another aspect the TEG K is between 1 to 5 mins. In another aspect, the TEG maximum amplitude (TEG MA) is more than 50 mm. In another aspect, the TEG maximum amplitude (TEG MA) is less than 70 mm. In another aspect, the TEG maximum amplitude (TEG MA) is between 30 to 65 mm. In another aspect, the TEG reaction time (TEG R) is less than 10 mins. In another aspect, the TEG reaction time (TEG R) is less than 8 mins. In another aspect, the TEG reaction time (TEG R) is at least 3 mins. In a further aspect, the TEG reaction time (TEG R) is between 4 to 8 mins.

[0086] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB) that has coagulation parameters that are at least 75% of the coagulation parameter of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by prothrombin time (PT). In an aspect, the PT of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a PT that is greater than the PT of conventionally stored blood. In a further aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB) has a PT of less than 15 seconds. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB) has a PT of more than 5 seconds. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB) or has a PT of 10 to 15 seconds.

[0087] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has coagulation parameters that are at least 75% of the coagulation parameter of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by partial thromboplastin time (PTT). In an aspect, the PTT of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a PTT that is greater than the PTT of conventionally stored blood. In a further aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a PTT that is greater than 25 seconds. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a PTT that is less than 40 seconds. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a PTT that is between 32 to 42 seconds.

[0088] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that havewhole blood (OR-WB) that has coagulation parameters that are at least 75% of the coagulation parameter of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by the level of fibrinogen activity. In an aspect, the fibrinogen activity of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a fibrinogen activity that is greater than the fibrinogen activity of conventionally stored blood. In a further aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a fibrinogen level that is at least 200 mg/ml. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a fibrinogen level that is at most 400 mg/ml. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a fibrinogen level that is from 250 to 350 mg/ml. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a fibrinogen level that is from 250 to 300 mg/ml.

[0089] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that havewhole blood (OR-WB) that has coagulation parameters that are at least 75% of the coagulation parameter of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by D-dimer analysis. In an aspect, the D-dimer value of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a D-dimer value that is greater than the D-dimer value of conventionally stored blood.

[0090] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that havewhole blood (OR-WB) that has coagulation parameters that are at least 75% of the coagulation parameter of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by a thrombin generation assay. In an aspect, the thrombin generation value of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a thrombin generation value that is greater than the thrombin generation value of conventionally stored blood.

[0091] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has platelet function parameters that are at least 75% of the platelet function parameters of conventionally stored whole blood as measured by a platelet aggregometer. In an aspect, the platelet function parameters of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) are equivalent to conventionally stored blood. In yet another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has platelet function parameters that are greater than the platelet function parameters of conventionally stored blood.

[0092] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has levels of clotting factor that are at least 75% of the levels of clotting factor in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the level of clotting factors is equivalent to that of conventionally stored blood. In yet other aspects, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a platelet function parameter that is greater than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. Not to be limited by theory, it is thought that oxidative degradation of clotting factors is prevented or reduced in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) and provides for higher levels of clotting factor activity. Methods to evaluate the effect of treatments on coagulability are known in the art, for example as described by Pidcoke et al, "Primary hemostatic capacity of whole blood: a comprehensive analysis of pathogen reduction and refrigeration effects over time," Transfusion 53: 137S-149S (2013).

[0093] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has a level of Factor V that has a specific activity that is at least 75% of the level of Factor V activity present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the specific activity of Factor V is equivalent to that of conventionally stored blood. In yet other aspects, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a specific activity of Factor V that is greater than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. Methods of measuring the specific activity of Factor V are known in the art.

[0094] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has a level of Factor V that has a specific activity that is at least 75% of the level of Factor VIII activity present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the specific activity of Factor VIII is equivalent to that of conventionally stored blood. In yet other aspects, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a specific activity of Factor VIII that is greater than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. Methods of measuring the specific activity of Factor VIII are known in the art. In one aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a a specific activity of Factor V that is less than 40 % after 21 days of storage.

[0095] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has a level of antithrombin (AT) that has a specific activity that is at least 75% of the level of AT activity present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the specific activity of AT is equivalent to that of conventionally stored blood. In yet other aspects, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a specific activity of AT that is greater than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. Methods of measuring the specific activity of AT are known in the art.

[0096] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has a level of Factor XIV (autoprothrombin IIA or Protein C) that has a specific activity that is at least 75% of the level of Factor XIV activity present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the specific activity of Factor XIV is equivalent to that of conventionally stored blood. In yet other aspects, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a specific activity of Factor XIV that is greater than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. Methods of measuring the specific activity of Factor XIV are known in the art.

[0097] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) that has a level of Von Willebrand factor (vWF) that has a specific activity that is at least 75% of the level of vWF activity present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the specific activity of vWF is equivalent to that of conventionally stored blood. In yet other aspects, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a specific activity of vWF that is greater than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. In another aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a specific activity of vWF that is less than the platelet function parameter of conventionally stored blood. Methods of measuring the specific activity of vWF are known in the art.

[0098] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods to extend the stored shelf life of whole blood from the current 2 weeks to 3 weeks and beyond. The oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) of the present disclosure provides for patient outcomes at three weeks that are equivalent to patient outcome provided by whole blood that has been stored for two weeks under conventional conditions.

[0099] As provided herein, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has decreased side effects for transfusion recipients as compared to conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a decreased inflammatory response after two weeks storage as compared to conventionally stored blood. In other aspects, the inflammatory response is reduced relative to conventionally stored blood after three weeks. In an aspect, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) can be stored for more than three weeks and retain the levels of inflammatory response as compared to conventionally stored blood after two weeks.

[00100] As provided herein, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has decreased side effects for transfusion recipients as compared to conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) has a decreased immune modulation after two weeks storage as compared to conventionally stored blood. In other aspects, the immune modulation is reduced relative to conventionally stored blood after three weeks. In an aspect, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) can be stored for more than three weeks and retain the levels of immune modulation as compared to conventionally stored blood after two weeks.

[00101] The methods and whole blood products of the present disclosure provide improved patient outcomes when transfused. In particular, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) provides for improved survival in cancer patients when provided in perioperative transfusions. In a certain aspect, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) provides for reduced mortality and improved survival when provided perioperatively to pancreatic cancer patients. Not to be limited by theory, the reduced mortality is the result of the combination of reduced levels of cytokines and improved oxygen transport and delivery that results from increased levels of 2,3-DPG and ATP.

[00102] In an aspect, the blood for transfusion to a cancer patient in need thereof has a reduced level of the cytokine regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). In an aspect, the RANTES level is equivalent to the level of RANTES present at the beginning of storage. In another aspect, the RANTES level of oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is less than the level of RANTES present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the level of RANTES is less than the level of RANTES present in conventionally stored blood throughout the storage period. In other aspects, RANTES does not increase during storage.

[00103] In an aspect, the blood for transfusion to a cancer patient in need thereof has a reduced level of a CC chemokine that is an eosinophil chemotactic protein, eotaxin. In an aspect, the eotaxin having a reduced level in oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR- LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is eotaxin- 1, also known as C-C motif chemokine 11. In an aspect the eotaxin level is equivalent to the level of eotaxin present at the beginning of storage. In another aspect, the eotaxin level of oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) is less than the level of eotaxin present in conventionally stored blood. In an aspect, the level of eotaxin is less than the level of eotaxin present in conventionally stored blood throughout the storage period. In other aspects, eotaxin does not increase during storage.

[00104] The methods and whole blood products of the present disclosure provide for reduced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and improved patient outcomes when transfused. In particular, oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) provides for reduced acute lung multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in trauma patients when provided in perioperative transfusions. In a certain aspect, the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) provides for reduced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in trauma patients when provided during emergency treatment.

[00105] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method of preparing oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood comprising obtaining a unit of whole blood comprising an anticoagulant, filtering the whole blood to produce leukoreduced whole blood, depleting the leukoreduced whole blood of oxygen, and storing the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood under anaerobic conditions.

[00106] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a method of preparing oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood that has a pre-storage oxygen saturation of (SO ₂ ) of 30% or less. Whole blood obtained from a donor using venipuncture has an oxygen saturation ranging from about 30% to about 70% saturated oxygen (SO ₂ ). In certain aspects, the SO ₂ is reduced to 25% or less. In certain aspects, the SO ₂ is reduced to 20% or less. In certain aspects, the SO ₂ is reduced to 15% or less. In other aspects, the SO ₂ is reduced to 10% or less. In yet other aspects, the SO ₂ is reduced to 5% or less.

[00107] Also provided for and included in the present disclosure are compositions and methods to prepare compositions of oxygen reduced and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood. In certain aspects, the SO2 value is 20% or less and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is less than 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 10 and 60 mmHg. In another aspect, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 20 and 40 mmHg. Also included are whole blood compositions and methods that provide for an SO2 of 15% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In another aspect, the methods and compositions include whole blood products having an SO2 of 15% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg. In yet another aspect, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 10% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 10% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg. In yet further aspects, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an S0 ₂ of 5% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 5% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg.

[00108] Also provided for and included in the present disclosure, are compositions and methods to prepare compositions of oxygen reduced and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood. In certain aspects, the SO2 value is 20% or less and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 1 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 10 and 60 mmHg. In another aspect, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 20 and 40 mmHg or 1 and 20 mmHg. Also included are whole blood compositions and methods that provide for an SO2 of 15% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In certain aspects, the SO2 value is 15% or less and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 1 and 60 mmHg. In another aspect, the methods and compositions include whole blood products having an SO2 of 15% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg or 1 and 20 mmHg. In yet another aspect, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 10% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 1 and 60 mmHg or 10 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 10% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg or 1 and 20 mmHg. In yet further aspects, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 5% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 1 and 60 mmHg or 10 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the blood compositions and methods of the present disclosure have an SO2 of 5% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg or 1 and 20 mmHg.

[00109] Notably, and as evidenced in Figures 2A, 2B, 3 A and 3B, the ATP level in stored oxygen reduced blood depends on the partial pressure of CO2. Specifically, depletion of oxygen to about 10% SO2 and carbon dioxide to about 25 mmHg results in increased 2,3- DPG levels that persist beyond 21 days, while ATP decreases to a level of about one half of the initial value. See Figures 2G and 3D. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for, and includes the depletion of oxygen to SO2 levels of about 5% and the depletion of carbon dioxide to a partial pressure of about 30 to 40 mmHg to yield oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced whole blood that has increased levels of 2,3-DPG and that retains at least 50% of the initial concentration of ATP through day 20. In other aspects, the partial pressure of CO2 can be adjusted to retain ATP levels that are at least 75% of the initial ATP value. Adjustment of the level of C0 ₂ can be experimentally determined by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

[00110] Prolonged hypothermic storage under conventional conditions is known to impair deformability of stored RBCs, potentially compromising their ability to perfuse microvascular networks and deliver oxygen to tissues and vital organs upon transfusion. It is thought that oxidative damage may be a primary contributor to the loss of RBC biomechanical function; therefore, storing RBCs under oxygen reduced (OR) and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced (OCR) conditions ameliorates oxidative damage, thereby preserving native rheological properties better than conventional (aerobic) storage. For this study, we utilized an in vitro microfluidic system that recapitulates an in vivo microvascular capillary bed to demonstrate the effects of reduced oxygen on stored cells.

[00111] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods for managing a blood bank that improves the availability of blood products for trauma victims and patients that require multiple transfusions and provides conserving the overall blood resources. The component blood products can be prepared from stored whole blood of the present application and used for transfusions or incorporated into massive transfusion kits. In addition to the improved blood chemistries (low hemolysis, improved 2,3-DPG etc.), the methods provide for improved hemostasis and improved deformability.

[00112] In aspects according the present specification, the method provides for maintaining an inventory of blood units comprising oxygen reduced whole blood and an anticoagulant as described above, providing one or more of the blood units from the inventory for treatment of a patient and recycling the blood units from the inventory to prepare component separated oxygen reduced blood units including oxygen reduced plasma and oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT). In aspects, the anticoagulant comprises citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD), citrate-phosphate-dextrose with adenine (CPDA-1), or CP2D.

[00113] In an aspect, the specification provides for a method for maintaining an inventory of blood units comprising oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood and an anticoagulant as described above, providing one or more of the blood units from the inventory for treatment of a patient and recycling the blood units from the inventory to prepare component separated oxygen reduced blood units including oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced plasma and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT). In aspects, the anticoagulant comprises citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD), citrate-phosphate-dextrose with adenine (CPDA-1), or Anticoagulant Citrate Phosphate Double Dextrose (CP2D).

[00114] The specification further provides for preparing one or more massive transfusion kits as described below that include the oxygen reduced plasma, oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced plasma and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT).

[00115] In aspects according to the invention, the unused blood in the inventory is recycled after a time period. In certain aspects where the anticoagulant is CPD, the blood units are recycled prior to three weeks of storage. In other aspects where the anticoagulant is CPDA-1, the blood units are recycled prior to five weeks of storage. In yet other aspects, the blood units are recycled after 2 weeks, or less. In an aspect, blood unit recycling occurs between 2 days and 1 week. In another aspect, recycling occurs between 2 days and two weeks. In some aspects, recycling occurs between 1 week and 2 weeks. The timing of recycling can be varied consistent with the turnover and needs of the blood facility.

[00116] While the recycling process is preferably performed under anaerobic conditions, the process may also be performed under aerobic conditions. Aerobic conditions may provide a cost savings, but may also be indicated in facilities with higher turnover. In high turnover facilities, the recovered blood components may be used soon after the recycling process and further storage of the blood under anaerobic conditions may provide little additional benefit.

[00117] The method for managing a blood bank further provide for the preparation of a massive transfusion kit as described in detail below. [00118] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods to provide a supply of blood products for transfusion medicine comprising depleting oxygen from leukoreduced whole blood to prepare oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB+PLT), storing the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB+PLT) for a time period and providing said stored blood to a patient in need thereof. In certain aspects, the leukoreduction step includes platelet reduction to produce oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB).

[00119] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods to provide a supply of blood products for transfusion medicine comprising depleting oxygen and carbon dioxide from leukoreduced whole blood to prepare oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB+PLT), storing the oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB+PLT) for a time period and providing said stored blood to a patient in need thereof. In certain aspects, the leukoreduction step includes platelet reduction to produce oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR- LRWB).

[00120] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods to provide a supply of blood products for transfusion medicine comprising depleting oxygen from leukoreduced whole blood to prepare oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB+PLT), storing the oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB+PLT) for a time period and preparing oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR- LRpRBC+PLT). In certain aspects, the leukoreduction step includes platelet reduction to produce oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OR-LRpRBC).

[00121] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, methods to provide a supply of blood products for transfusion medicine comprising depleting oxygen and carbon dioxide from leukoreduced whole blood to prepare oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB+PLT), storing the oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB+PLT) for a time period and preparing oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR- LRpRBC+PLT). In certain aspects, the leukoreduction step includes platelet reduction to produce oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells (OCR- LRpRBC).

[00122] As provided herein, the OR-LRpRBC+PLT, OR-LRpRBC, OCR-LRpRBC+PLT, and OCR-LRpRBC may be returned to the store of blood products for supply and stored for a time period until required for use by a patient. In aspects of the present disclosure, the total time for storage, either as a whole blood product, or as a packed RBC product may be up to six weeks. In some aspects, the second storage period is between 2 to 4 weeks.

[00123] The methods for providing a supply of blood products include, and provide, for depleting either oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide. The oxygen levels for the methods to provide a supply of blood products are discussed in detail above. In certain aspects, the SO2 value is reduced to 20% or less and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is less than 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 10 and 60 mmHg. In another aspect, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is between 20 and 40 mmHg. Also included are methods that provide for an SO2 of 15% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In another aspect, the methods provide blood products having an SO2 of 15% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg. In yet another aspect, the methods of the present disclosure provide blood products having an S0 ₂ of 10% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the methods for providing a supply of blood products provide for an SO2 of 10% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg. In yet further aspects, the methods provide an S0 ₂ of 5% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 10 and 60 mmHg. In other aspects, the methods provide an SO2 of 5% or less and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of between 20 and 40 mmHg.

[00124] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a new blood composition obtained during the blood component recovery process of OR-LRWB+PLT and OCR- LRWB+PLT. As provided above, while conventional whole blood products have an FDA approved shelf life (3 weeks for WB in CPD and 5 weeks in CPDA1), clinicians who use WB limit its shelf life from between 2 and 14 days. In conventional storage, the blood is often discarded. In the present disclosure, the OR-LRWB+PLT and OCR-LRWB+PLT can be processed using conventional component separation methods modified for retaining the blood in the OR or OCR depleted state. In general, methods are modified to incorporate oxygen and oxygen and carbon dioxide impermeable barriers to the components and incorporating features to prevent oxygen ingress. Suitable approaches can be found, for example in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/021794, filed March 10, 2016, and International Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/029069, filed April 22, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[00125] In aspects according the present disclosure, a blood composition is provided that comprises oxygen reduced packed red blood cells and platelets having less than lxl0 ⁵ /L white blood cells. Such compositions are obtainable from OR-LRWB+PLT and OCR- LRWB+PLT. In an aspect, the level of white blood cells is less than lxl0 ⁴ /L white blood cells. In aspects according to the present disclosure, the oxygen saturation of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT) is less than 30%. In an aspect, the oxygen saturation of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT) is less than 20%. In an aspect, the oxygen saturation of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR- LRpRBC+PLT) is less than 10%. In a further aspect, the oxygen saturation of the oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT) is less than 5%.

[00126] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT) having less than 30% SO2 and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide of less than 60 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 30% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 20 and 40 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR- LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 30% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 0 and 20 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 20% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide of less than 60 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 20% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 20 and 40 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 20% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 0 and 20 mmHg. In another aspect, the OCR- LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 15% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide of less than 60 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 15% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 20 and 40 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 15% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 0 and 20 mmHg. In another aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 10% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide of less than 60 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR- LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 10% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 20 and 40 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 10% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 0 and 20 mmHg. In other aspects, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs has an oxygen saturation of less than 5% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide of less than 60 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR-LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 5% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 20 and 40 mmHg. In an aspect, the OCR- LRpRBC+PLTs have an oxygen saturation of less than 5% and a storage partial pressure of carbon dioxide between 0 and 20 mmHg.

[00127] The oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR- LRpRBC+PLT) and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT) usually further comprise an additive solution. Suitable additive solutions according to the present disclosure include AS-1, AS-3 (Nutricel ^® ), AS-5, SAGM, PAGG-SM, PAGG-GM, MAP, AS-7, ESOL-5, EAS61, OFAS1, OFAS3, and combinations thereof. In an aspect, the additive solution is added at the time of component separation. In an aspect, the additive solution is AS-1. In another aspect, the additive solution is AS-3. In other aspects, the additive solution is SAGM.

[00128] The methods and compositions of the present disclosure provide for and include the preparation of 'massive transfusion kits' (MTKs) having improved properties to kits prepared from conventional components. The massive transfusion kits of the present disclosure can be prepared in various configurations depending on the clinical needs. The MTKs of the present disclosure are stored under oxygen free or oxygen and carbon dioxide free conditions until being prepared for use. The OR and OCR conditions can be maintained by sealing in an impermeable enclosure either with, or without, an appropriate sorbent material. The MTKs of the present disclosure may be re-oxygenated prior to use, or used directly. In general, the specification provides for massive transfusion kits optimized to deliver RBCs having improved 2,3-DPG levels. Such kits are prepared from component blood products obtained from oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT). Alternatively, a kit may be prepared using component blood products obtained from oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR- LRWB+PLT) to produce kits having higher levels of ATP. Kits prepared using the methods of the present specification provide platelets suitable for hemostasis together with the oxygen reduced stored red blood cells. Thus, massive transfusion kits of the present specification can increase the availability of platelets without additional dilution while further providing RBCs of higher quality (e.g. , more deformable, more 2,3-DPG, fewer storage lesions). Importantly, the recovery of blood components from the oxygen reduced whole blood of the present disclosure increases the availability of transfusion products for trauma victims and saves and conserves a valuable and limited resource. As discussed above, conventional massive transfusion kits include a volume of plasma, a volume of pRBCs, and volume of platelets in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio wherein the amounts of the three components correspond to a unit 'reconstituted blood' when transfused serially or in parallel to a patient in need. Reconstituted blood does not directly correspond to whole blood which does not include an additive solution and has higher levels of anti-coagulant. Further reconstituted blood typically includes a larger volume than a typical unit of whole blood. The reconstituted blood of the present disclosure is improved over the conventional reconstituted blood as it provides additional platelets in the pRBC fraction (e.g. , either oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OCR-LRpRBC+PLT) and oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT)). Such cold stored platelets undergo modification commonly known as platelet storage lesions (PSLs) and cold stored platelets are quickly removed from circulation in the body. Importantly, cold stored platelets retain the ability to aggregate and have been reported to have increased aggregations and resistance to disaggregation. Accordingly, blood components obtained from the oxygen reduced whole blood of the present specification provide additional benefits during trauma transfusion, either alone or in combination with conventional platelets.

[00129] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, a massive transfusion kit comprising a volume of oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT) or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT), or combinations thereof. In an aspect, a massive transfusion kit provides a volume of plasma and a volume of LRpRBC+PLT. In an aspect, the volume of plasma and a volume of LRpRBC+PLT is 1 : 1. In other aspects, the ratio of plasma to LRpRBC+PLT is between 1 : 1 and 1 :2 by volume. In an aspect, the ratio of plasma to LRpRBC+PLT is about 1 :2 by volume.

[00130] The present disclosure provides for, and includes, massive transfusion kits that include additional platelets together with the plasma and oxygen reduced leukoreduced packed red blood cells with platelets (OR-LRpRBC+PLT) or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT).

[00131] The massive transfusion kits of the present disclosure provide for a volume of plasma. The plasma of the MTKs can be either fresh plasma or thawed fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The specification provides for obtaining the plasma for MTKs from either conventional sources (e.g. , non-oxygen reduced) or from oxygen reduced or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduces sources. In an aspect, the plasma for an MTK of the present disclosure may be obtained from oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OR-LRWB), oxygen reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OR-LRWB+PLT), oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood (OCR-LRWB), or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced leukoreduced whole blood with platelets (OCR-LRWB+PLT). Not to be limited by theory, the plasma obtained from the oxygen reduced sources will have lower levels of storage lesions, including for example, lower levels of cytokines, isoprostane, and microparticles. As provided herein, MTKs having plasma, platelets and pRBCs according to the present specification are provided at a ratio of between 1 : 1 : 1 or 1 : 1 :2 by volume. It will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the MTKs of the present disclosure, like conventional MTKs, are designed to provide an equivalent of a unit of blood. It will be recognized that any arbitrary total volume may be selected while maintaining the recited ratios necessary to be equivalent to reconstituted blood.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1: Cytokine, Cell-Free Hemoglobin, and Isoprostane Accumulations in Packed Red Blood Cells During Anaerobic Storage

[00132] Fifteen pRBC units are collected from normal healthy donors. Each unit is split and stored as follows: one in standard blood bank conditions (control), the other anaerobically (test) according to methods described in Yoshida et al , "Anaerobic Storage of Red Blood Cells in a Novel Additive Solution Improves In vivo Recovery," Transfusion 49:458-64 (2008). At weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6, samples are removed using a sterile connecting device from the PRBC units. Plasma samples are frozen for the following assays: single batch testing for 22 cytokines using the Procarta Immunoassay Magnetic Bead kit, 8- isoprostane F _2a via mass spectrometric assay, and cell free hemoglobin via HemoCue plasma/photometer (HemoCue AB, Angelholm, Sweden).

[00133] As shown in Figure 1A, eotaxin reaches a statistically significant difference at week 2 (86.6 pg/ml-control (c), 64.9-test (t), p-value - 0.00213, with statistical significance of p< 0.05; day 42 (292-c, 112-t; p=0.000). As shown in figure IB, RANTES is different at all time points, starting at day 3 (374.6-c, 55.1-t), p- = 0.00000; a very large difference is observed on day 42 (3371.6-c, 88.4-t; p< 0.002). As shown in Figure 1C, differences in cell- free hemoglobin are seen at week 2 (96.0 mg/dl-c, 41.7-t), p- = 0.00001 ; day 42 (170-c, 63-t, p = 0.0002). As shown in Figure ID, storage day 3 shows differences in isoprostane (45.5 pg/ml-c, 32.1-t), p= 0.00689; day 42 (101.9-c, 64.7-t, p = 0.0048). EXAMPLE 2: Collection, Leukoreduction and Gas Depletion of Whole Blood

[00134] A unit of blood is collected from a donor patient into anticoagulant solution comprising either CPDAl or CPDA according to standard protocols, including collection of heparin tubs. The collected blood containing anticoagulant is leukoreduced according to manufacturer's instructions less than or equal to four hours after the initial blood draw. Baseline ABL90 blood gas and metabolic parameters are determined from the donor heparin tube and the whole blood product according to standard procedures. See BSL Handbook Procedure BSL-P024: Procedure Manual and Radiometer ABL90 FLEX Gas Analyzer instructions.

[00135] An anaerobic control is prepared from each unit of leukoreduced blood by transferring 120 ml of LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD into a 150mL transfer bag, labeled as appropriate and placed at room temperature (15°-30°C).

[00136] The remainder of the LRWB LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD is processed for oxygen or oxygen and carbon dioxide depletion by transferring to a blood processing bag connected to a Sorin D100 and processed for 5 minutes at a flow rated of 700 ml/minute without gas to generate a BOF processing control. 120g of the resulting BOF processed blood is transferred to a 300 ml transfer bag that has been stored under anaerobic conditions and labeled BOF processing control. The remainder of the LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD is processed on the Sorin D 100 at a peak flow rate of 700 ml/minute with a gas flow rate of 3 L/min of a gas composition comprising 5% CCV 95% N ₂ until the blood reaches -5% SO ₂ measuring blood gas values on a Radiometer ABL90 FLEX Gas Analyzer at 3 to 5 minute intervals. To reduce carbon dioxide levels, the gas mixture is switched to 100% N ₂ for 1 to 4 minutes until SO ₂ reaches 5±1% and pCC reaches 30±3 mmHg, monitoring blood gas values every 15-30 seconds to monitor deoxygenation rate. 120 g of the resulting oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD is transferred to a 300 ml transfer bag previously stored under anaerobic conditions as described above and labeled ("C"). Further processing of the LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD is performed on the Sorin D 100 at a flow rate of 700 ml/min with 99% N ₂ and 1% 0 ₂ until the LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD reaches an SO ₂ of 5±1% and pCC reaches 7±3 mmHg. 120 g of the resulting oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced LRWB/CPDA-1 or LRWB/CPD is transferred to a 300 ml transfer bag previously stored under anaerobic conditions as described above and labeled ("D"). Additional samples are processed as described above using a new Sorin D100. Immediately following the preparation of each sample, ABL90 blood gas levels are determined according to manufacturer's instructions to establish baseline SO ₂ and pC0 ₂ levels (e.g. , T ₀ ). See BSL Handbook Procedures. Samples for cytokine analysis are collected and stored at -80 °C for later analysis. [00137] All samples are analyzed as provided below at Example 6. EXAMPLE 3: Storage of Anaerobic Test Products

[00138] Oxygen reduced and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced blood in transfer bags are wrapped in mesh, secured with elastic and placed in anaerobic canisters with 4 sorbent sachets (Mitsubishi, SS-300). Canisters are sealed and the canister purged of air using an Alicat Gas Processing System. See BSL Handbook Procedure BSL-P040: Procedure for Placing Blood Products in Anaerobic Storage in Canisters. Anaerobic and aerobic blood is placed in a Blood Bank refrigerator at 1 to 6 °C. Canister gauges are monitored daily to ensure that they read 5±1 psi. Canisters that fall below 2 psi are adjusted to standard procedures. See BSL Handbook Procedure BSL-P040: Procedure for Placing Blood Products in Anaerobic Storage in Canisters.

EXAMPLE 4: Sample Testing

[00139] Samples are tested at indicated time points: day zero (T ₀ ) post processing, day 1, week 1, week 2, and week 3. Samples may be tested fresh or frozen for later testing as appropriate for a given test. The testing includes a complete blood count (CBC), Thromboelastography (TEG).

[00140] Prepare platelet rich plasma (PRP) for platelet aggregation immediately per manufacturer's instructions.

[00141] Perform coagulation screening and additional assays per manufacturer's instructions.

[00142] Prepare samples for cytokines immediately per manufacturer's instructions. EXAMPLE 5: ATP Sampling and Measurement

[00143] Samples are processed for ATP measurement by deproteinization and precipitation. 1 ml of sample (e.g. , LRWB/CPD or LRWB/CPDA-1 or samples described above) is precipitated with 1.0 ml ice cold trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (12% w/v) and vortexed for 15 to 30 seconds and incubated on ice for 5 minutes. Tubes containing the TCA/Sample mixture are centrifuged at 3600 g for 5 minutes at 4 °C. Samples are immediately processed to minimize exposure to TCA. The clarified supernate is transferred to a pre-cooled tube and snap frozen on a dry ice alcohol bath and stored at -70 °C. EXAMPLE 6: Improved Deformability in Stored RBCs that Have Been Stored under Oxygen Reduced Conditions

[00144] Nine (9) individual units of whole blood are obtained from healthy consenting volunteers via a standard 500mL blood donation. Donated whole blood is processed into leukoreduced red blood cell (LR-RBC) units according to standard AABB / FDA guidelines; the resulting units are then split into two halves. One half of the units are O2 and CO2 reduced as described in Examples 2 and 3.

[00145] The resulting samples are placed in anaerobic, hypothermic storage, while the second half is placed in conventional, aerobic hypothermic storage. Paired RBC units are stored in a blood bank refrigerator and evaluated weekly for the entire duration of 6-week storage. Prior to testing, the hematocrit of all RBC samples was adjusted to 40% using normal saline (0.9% NaCl; RBC-S). The deformability of the RBC-S at the beginning and during the study is determined as described in International Patent Publication No. WO 2013/177339, published November 28, 2013. High speed image sequences (-150FPS) of the blood samples traversing artificial microvascular network (AMVN) chip are recorded. The occlusion time, the amount of time flow through the network that is obstructed by non- deformable cells and the frequency at which blood profusion through the network is interrupted (occlusion frequency) are determined.

[00146] Overall bulk perfusion rates through the AMVN system are consistently higher for O2 and CO2 controlled blood compared to aerobically stored units and the total occlusion time is consistently lower for oxygen reduced RBCs (Table 1). These results suggest that reduction of oxygen levels in LR-RBC units mitigates the deterioration of the biomechanical properties of the red blood cell during hypothermic storage.

[00147] The oxygen depletion and storage process significantly reduces the rate at which the rheological properties of RBCs deteriorate during hypothermic storage, and is capable of preserving more physiologically relevant biomechanical properties of the red cells during storage. The improved deformability of the RBCs combined with the benefits of whole blood transfusion indicates that the preserved RBC function will improve retention of RBCs post transfusion, and increased capability of transfused RBCs to profuse the microvasculature. Table 1: Perfusion rates of Blood Cells After Oxygen Reduced Storage

rate (pL/s) 200.4 ± 173.8 ± 160.0 ± 142.9 ± 122.3 ± 117.0 ± 106.2 ±

Conventional 8.5 10.6 18.1 8.8 12.2 12.5 14.2

MMCN 35.4 ±

O ₂ Reduced 18.1 ± 8.5 36.6 ± 7.8 45.9 ± 5.1 59.1 ± 8.5 60.1 ± 7.5 63.4 ± 2.1

10.3

plugging

event time 41.0 ± 42.1 ±

(%) Conventional 21.3 ± 9.6 56.5 ± 2.9 67.3 ± 8.8 68.1 ± 7.6 71.3 ± 6.1

10.0 13.8

222.8 ± 206.7 ± 200.6 ± 186.4 ± 187.0 ± 176.5 ± 171.4 ±

AMVN O ₂ Reduced 12.5 6.3 3.5 6.7 12.7 13.5 13.7 perfusion

rate (pL/s) 220.0 ± 200.8 ± 194.3 ± 182.3 ± 181.8 ± 171.9 ± 162.0 ±

Conventional 14.9 7.4 8.8 3.5 12.0 11.2 11.7

EXAMPLE 7: Deoxygenation of Platelets Does Not Impede Hemostatic Performance

[00148] Eight (8) units of whole blood (WB) are obtained from healthy consenting volunteers via a standard 500 mL blood donation. Donated whole blood is collected in CPDA-1 anticoagulant as described in Example 2 (Research Blood Components, Inc.) and leukoreduced with a platelet sparing filter (Imuflex ^® WB-SP) (LRWB; Terumo Medical Corporation). The resulting filtered units are then split into two halves. One half of the units are placed in conventional, aerobic hypothermic storage, while the second half is further divided and placed in anaerobic, hypothermic storage. The anaerobically stored units are oxygen reduced (OR-LRWB) or oxygen and carbon dioxide reduced (OCR-LRWB). The anaerobically stored units are processed with the Sorin D100 membrane oxygenator to yield anaerobic units with about 5% SO ₂ and about 35 mmHgpC0 ₂ . The resulting anaerobic units are placed in standard PVC bags and stored in anaerobic canisters comprising oxygen sorbent and Nitrogen gas. Paired leukoreduced platelet units are evaluated weekly for the entire duration of 21 day storage as described below.

[00149] The units are evaluated for metabolic parameters including percent hemolysis (Plasma Low, Angelholm Sweden), ATP (DiaSys, Flacht, Germany), and 2,3-DPG (Sigma- Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) according to manufacturer's instructions. As shown in Figure 4A, reduced levels of ATP are maintained in stored OCR-LRWB but increase in stored OR- LRWB compared to conventionally stored LRWB (solid line). As shown in Figure 4B, increased levels of 2,3-DPG were maintained in stored OCR-LRWB and OR-LRWB compared to conventionally stored LRWB, for up to 21 days. Further, as shown in Figure 4C,hemoloysis is not significantly changed when comparing stored OR-LRWB and stored OCR-LRWB to conventionally stored LRWB (solid line).

[00150] The conventionally stored LRWB and OCR-LRWB are assessed for plasma coagulation parameters by evaluating Prothrombin Time (PT), activated Partial Prothrombin time (aPTT), and the levels of Fibrinogen and D-dimer. As shown in Figure 5, the aPPT and PT were slightly, but not significantly prolonged in conventionally stored LRWB (solid line). Further, no evidence of coagulation activation was observed as evidence by similar fibrinogen and D-dimer levels.

[00151] The conventionally stored LRWB and OCR-LRWB are further assessed for plasma clotting factors by determining the activity levels for factors V, VIII, protein C activity, protein S activity and von Willebrand Factor (vWF). Protein C and protein S analysis are performed using the ACL TOP® (Instrumentation Laboratory) and the STA-R Evolution coagulation analyzer ^® (Diagnostica Stago, Inc.), respectively, according to the manufacturer's instructions. As shown in Figure 6, the levels of Factor V, Factor VIII, Protein C activity, protein S activity, and vWF were not significantly changed in anaerobic, hypothermic stored OCR-LRWB (broken line) compared to conventionally stored WB (solid line).

[00152] The conventionally stored LRWB and OCR-LRWB are further assessed for coagulation using thromboelastography (TEG) with the Haemoscope Thromboelastograph ^® analyzer (Haemonetics) according to the manufacturer's instructions. As shown in Figures 7A to 7D, no significant difference was observed for propagation (TEG Angle), amplification (TEG K), maximum amplitude (TEG MA), or reaction time (TEG R) in OCR-LRWB (broken line) compared to conventionally stored LRWB (solid line).

[00153] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[00154] Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.