| abstract |
The present invention relates to a dehydrating composition comprising lyophilized red blood cells. Alcohol (eg, sterols or cholesterol) is at least partially separated from red blood cells, including the red blood cell membrane. After some or all of the alcohol has been separated, the red blood cells have a low phase transition temperature range, an intermediate phase transition temperature range, and a high phase transition temperature range. Erythrocytes may be loaded with oligosaccharides (eg trehalose) that preserve biological properties during lyophilization and rehydration. Also provided is a method of increasing the cooperativeness of the phase transition of red blood cells. Also provided are methods for preserving and / or increasing the survival of dehydrated red blood cells, including storing dehydrated red blood cells with a residual moisture content of about 0.30 grams or less of water per gram of dry red blood cells. |