Early γ‐irradiation and subsequent storage of red cells in <scp>SAG</scp>‐M additive solution potentiate energy imbalance, microvesiculation and susceptibility to stress‐induced apoptotic cell death

γ‐Irradiation of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates prevents transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease but may diminish RBC quality. Herein, we show that early γ‐irradiation (25 Gy) of RBC units and their subsequent storage in SAG‐M additive solution altered membrane microvesiculation, supernatant haemoglobin and cytosolic ATP. γ‐Irradiation did not influence phosphatidylserine externalization, a marker of erythrocyte apoptotic cell death (eryptosis), in RBC stored for 42 days. However, shorter periods (4–21 days) of storage accentuated eryptosis in γ‐irradiated RBC versus untreated RBCs following energy depletion, suggesting that γ‐irradiated RBC is primed for stress‐induced eryptosis during storage.

Early γ‐irradiation and subsequent storage of red cells in SAG‐M additive solution potentiate energy imbalance, microvesiculation and susceptibility to stress‐induced apoptotic cell death Journal Articles