Transfusion, Immunomodulation and Allergology (TRIAL)

Lise Sofie Haug Nissen-MeyerGroup leader
Lise Sofie Haug Nissen-Meyer
Group leader

Department of immunology and transfusion medicine is responsible for blood donated at the Oslo Blood bank, and is concerned with optimal storage and quality of the red cell, platelet and plasma products. Red cells are subjected to oxidative storage damage and platelets to anti-MHC Ab in some recipients, and all products are still stored in potentially toxic phthalate-containing plastic bags. Plasma from COVID-19 convalescent blood donors has been used for treatment of such patients, but some convalescents also suffer from persistent inflammation. We have been studying immunomodulatory substances from edible medicinal mushrooms such as Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) as add-on treatment in clinical trials for inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple myeloma and allergy, but they also have anti-viral effects that can be exploited. 

Aims:

  1. Improve production and preservation of blood products for patients
  2. Examine effects of an AbM-based extract, AndosanTM, as add-on treatment for asthma patients, and against COVID-19 in vitro.
  3. Examine inflammatory markers such as calprotectin, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), neopterin and syndecan in COVID-19 patients, convalescents and vaccinated persons. 

Projects

  • Reduction of oxidative storage lesion for red cells using Hemanext system in clinical trial in hematology patients.
  • Improved platelet products for hemotherapy of HLA-alloimmunized, platelet-refractory patients: platelets made HLA class I deficient by acid treatment.
  • Freeze-drying of platelets for treatment of difficult diabetic wounds.
  • Examination of new phthalate-free filters and plastics for blood products. Immunomodulating effects of the mushroom extract, AndosanTM, in asthma patients and monitoring with a novel mast cell activation test for allergens. 
  • Anti-COVID-19 effect of AndosanTM in cell cultures.  

Contact

Group Leader
Lise Sofie Haug Nissen-Meyer
Department of immunology and transfusion medicine
Tel: +47 +22117828 / 48284525  
E-mail: lisoha@ous-hf.no

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