Mesenchymal stromal cells conditioned by peripheral blood mononuclear cells exert enhanced immunomodulation capacities and alleviate a model of Myasthenia Gravis.

Background: Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) possess innate immunomodulatory properties, which can be significantly enhanced through co-culture with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), making them attractive tools for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Methods: Leveraging a multi-omics approach encompassing RNA sequencing, flow and mass cytometry, secretome analysis, completed by functional evaluations, we investigated the mechanisms underpinning PBMC conditioning of MSC in vitro and their benefits in an animal model of Myasthenia gravis. MSC derived from human adipose tissue were left untreated in resting state (rMSC), conditioned by PBMC (cMSC), or activated by the pro-inflammatory molecule interferon (IFN)-γ (γMSC), then compared for their gene expression profiles, phenotypes and functional capacities.

Exposure to sub-zero temperatures down to -11 °C does not impact packed red cells storage quality.

European guidelines require packed red blood cells (pRBC) to be stored at 2-6 °C. However, negative temperature shifts can occur especially in prehospital transfusion. We investigated the impact of sub-zero temperature exposure on pRBC storage quality.

In vitro evaluation of a new viscoelastometry-based point-of-care analyzer.

Introduction: The VCM is a point-of-care analyzer using a new viscoelastometry technique for rapid assessment of hemostasis on fresh whole blood. Its characteristics would make it suitable for use in austere environments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the VCM in terms of repeatability, reproducibility and interanalyzer correlation, reference values in our population, correlation with standard coagulation assays and platelet count, correlation with the TEG5000 analyzer and resistance to stress conditions mimicking an austere environment.

Performance of far forward iceless blood storage containers in controlled cold environments.

Background: The Golden Hour Box (GHB), an iceless blood container designed for transfusion closest to the point of injury, is used by military medical teams in remote damage control resuscitation. While its performance is well-established in hot environments, it remains underexplored in cold conditions, a significant consideration in emerging global conflict zones.

Study Design And Methods: Four GHBs were preconditioned at +4°C or +18°C for 8 h and subsequently exposed to controlled laboratory simulated temperatures of -5, -15, and -25°C for 100 h.

Prevalence of red blood cell alloantibodies among blood donors in the French Military Blood Institute: A 10-year retrospective study.

Background And Objectives: Screening for red blood cell alloantibodies (RBC-Ab) is a critical step in ensuring blood transfusion safety performed by blood donation screening laboratories. We aim to evaluate the prevalence of the RBC-Ab among healthy blood donors.

Materials And Methods: Antibody screening of serum of all voluntary blood donors was performed as a routine immune-haematological procedure by a solid-phase method on a fully automated immunohaematology analyser.

Mobile blood depots in ground ambulances in compliance with French legislation: A feasibility study.

Background: Prehospital transfusion is a way of improving the management of hemorrhagic shock. In France, prehospital transfusion is struggling to develop, both because of logistical difficulties and particularly restrictive legislation. To comply with this, we propose to store the blood products (BPs) in ground ambulances with refrigerated boxes allowing remote continuous monitoring of storage conditions, called "NelumBox" (Tec4med Lifescience GmbH).

Feasibility of an acoustophoresis-based system for a high-throughput cell washing: application to bioproduction.

Background Aims: These last decades have seen the emergence and development of cell-based therapies, notably those based on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The advancement of these promising treatments requires increasing the throughput of processed cell for industrialization in order to reduce production costs. Among the various bioproduction challenges, downstream processing, including medium exchange, cell washing, cell harvesting and volume reduction, remains a critical step for which improvements are needed.

Multicenter evaluation of a high-throughput microarray platform for extensive red blood cell phenotyping and antibody screening.

Background: Blood typing and antibody screening are key elements of transfusion safety. However, available single platform, flexible, and affordable technologies are limited, especially for extended phenotyping. Microarray-based technology allows for this extended phenotyping with the flexibility of piecemeal analysis.

Use of prehospital transfusion by French emergency medical services: A national survey.

Background: Major bleeding is the leading cause of preventable mortality among trauma patients. Several studies have recently shown that prehospital plasma transfusion improves the outcomes of severely injured patients. Although no consensus has been reached, prehospital transfusion is regularly considered to reduce avoidable mortality.

Where Do We Stand on "Buddy Transfusion" During Military Operations?

Warm fresh whole-blood transfusion between comrades on the battlefield, also known as "buddy transfusion," has been thrust back into the limelight for several years now. It means drawing blood on the battlefield, once a bleeding soldier needs a transfusion, from one of their uninjured companions and immediately infusing it. It is a lifesaving procedure, effective and hardy.

An observational study of the blood use in combat casualties of the French Armed Forces, 2013-2021.

Background: The French Armed Forces conduct asymmetric warfare in the Sahara-Sahel Strip. Casualties are treated with damage control resuscitation to the extent possible. Questions remain about the feasibility and sustainability of using blood for wider use in austere environments.

Prehospital Lyophilized Plasma Transfusion for Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy in Patients at Risk for Hemorrhagic Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Blood transfusion is a mainstay of therapy for trauma-induced coagulopathy, but the optimal modalities for plasma transfusion in the prehospital setting remain to be defined.

Objective: To determine whether lyophilized plasma transfusion can reduce the incidence of trauma-induced coagulopathy compared with standard care consisting of normal saline infusion.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This randomized clinical trial was performed at multiple centers in France involving prehospital medical teams.

Step by step transfusion timeline and its challenges in trauma: A retrospective study in a level one trauma center.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of preventable early death in trauma patients. Transfusion management is guided by international guidelines promoting early and aggressive transfusion strategies. This study aimed to describe transfusion timelines in a trauma center and to identify key points to performing early and efficient transfusions.

Quality assessment of a serum and xenofree medium for the expansion of human GMP-grade mesenchymal stromal cells.

Background: Cell-based therapies are emerging as a viable modality to treat challenging diseases, resulting in an increasing demand for their large-scale, high-quality production. Production facilities face the issue of batch-to-batch consistency while producing a safe and efficient cell-based product. Controlling culture conditions and particularly media composition is a key factor of success in this challenge.

First transfusion of cold-stored low-titer group O whole blood in the French armed forces.

Background: Hemorrhage is the most frequent cause of preventable death in the combat setting. Therefore, early transfusion can improve survival of combat casualties. In the case of hemorrhagic shock, massive transfusion must be performed immediately with high transfusion ratios (i.

Implementation of Low Titer Whole Blood for French overseas operations: O positive or negative products in massive hemorrhage?

Massive hemorrhage is the leading preventable cause of death during military operations. During these operations, the delay between initial treatment and arrival at a surgical facility is considerably longer than in Metropolitan settings. This increased prehospital period requires the availability of blood products during the prehospital stage and justifies the availability of Low Titer Whole Blood (LTOWB) for surgical facilities.

Development of extracellular vesicle-based medicinal products: A position paper of the group "Extracellular Vesicle translatiOn to clinicaL perspectiVEs - EVOLVE France".

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are emergent therapeutic effectors that have reached clinical trial investigation. To translate EV-based therapeutic to clinic, the challenge is to demonstrate quality, safety, and efficacy, as required for any medicinal product. EV research translation into medicinal products is an exciting and challenging perspective.

Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Prevention of Organ Injuries Induced by Traumatic Hemorrhagic Shock.

Severe trauma is the principal cause of death among young people worldwide. Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of death after severe trauma. Traumatic hemorrhagic shock (THS) is a complex phenomenon associating an absolute hypovolemia secondary to a sudden and significant extravascular blood loss, tissue injury, and, eventually, hypoxemia.

COVID-19 Repeated Convalescent Plasma Collection: Analysis of 149 Donations from 88 French Military Health Workers.

Background: Passive therapy with convalescent plasma (CP) could be an effective and safe treatment option in COVID-19 patients. Neutralizing antibodies present in CP generated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and directed against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein are considered to play a major role in the viral clearance. CP infusion may also contribute to the modulation of the immune response through its immunomodulatory effect.

SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody testing in Europe: towards harmonisation of neutralising antibody titres for better use of convalescent plasma and comparability of trial data.

We compared the performance of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody testing between 12 European laboratories involved in convalescent plasma trials. Raw titres differed almost 100-fold differences between laboratories when blind-testing 15 plasma samples. Calibration of titres in relation to the reference reagent and standard curve obtained by testing a dilution series reduced the inter-laboratory variability ca 10-fold.