Evaluation of whole blood immunoreactivity

To assess cellular immunoreactivity, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Concanavalin A (Con A), or LPS together with Con A was added to the whole blood for 18 hours. LPS preferentially stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by blood cells, whereas Con A significantly enhanced secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-2. Addition of heparin to blood slightly decreased cellular secretion of IL-2 and VEGF, but not other cytokines. This test can be used to assess innate and adaptive blood immunoreactivity and may be useful in surgical practice for preparation of blood components (serum, plasma, leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma) and objective immunologic monitoring.