In this session, a former HHMI investigator with focus on biological functions of protein glycosylation will present how a laboratory recently demonstrated that bacteria-derived sialidases remove sialic acid from platelets, leading to platelet clearance by hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors (Ashwell Morell receptor), thereby mitigating the lethal coagulopathy of sepsis.
Another speaker will present a second example of desialylated platelet clearance by hepatic Ashwell Morell receptors. Removal of sialic acid from glycoproteins occurs in platelets refrigerated for >12 hours and leads to the exposure of galactose moieties and removal of platelets. Possible mechanisms for desialylation of stored platelets will be discussed. A third speaker will review quality control methods of platelets for transfusion.