Photospheresis: Procedure Utilizes Leukapheresis to Collect the Buffy Coat from Whole Blood

What procedure utilizes leukapheresis to collect the Buffy coat from whole blood?

A. Photospheresis

B. Plasmapheresis

C. Therapeutic apheresis

D. Erythrocytapheresis

Answer:

The correct procedure that utilizes leukapheresis to collect the Buffy coat from whole blood is A. Photospheresis.

Explanation:

Photospheresis is a procedure that involves leukapheresis to collect the Buffy coat from whole blood. When blood is subjected to apheresis to remove the buffy coat (WBC + platelets) from whole blood, it undergoes a process where it is chemically treated with 8-methoxypsoralen and exposed to ultraviolet light (UVA) before being returned to the patient. This treatment is part of photopheresis, which is a type of apheresis and photodynamic therapy.

During photospheresis, the DNA in cells is crosslinked by activated 8-methoxypsoralen, leading to apoptosis in nucleated cells. The damaged T-cells in the patient's body seem to have cytotoxic effects on T-cell development, although the exact mechanism of this "antitumor" activity is still unknown. Leukapheresis is a laboratory method specifically used to remove white blood cells from a blood sample, which is a type of apheresis procedure where a specific blood component is removed and the remaining blood is reintroduced into circulation.