Membrane reorganization during chilling: Implications for long-term stabilization of platelets

This essay is a review of the various biophysical and biochemical events that make up the factors responsible for platelet cold-induced activation. It describes the formation of large membrane domains composed or raft aggregates that occur during chilling and storage. It also presents strong evidence that platelet membranes undergo lateral phase separation during prolonged storage in the cold and suggests that raft aggregation and lateral phase separation are key events which must be obviated to stabilize platelet,, and store them either in die frozen or in the dry state. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science (USA).