Effects of pre-storage leukoreduction on stored red blood cells signaling: A time-course evaluation from shape to proteome

► Storage quality measures were evaluated in leukoreduced (L) and non-L (N) RBCs. ► Length of storage enhances RBCs lesions but leukoreduction alleviates them. ► The L-effect is expressed either for a part or for the whole of the storage period. ► The residual leukocytes trigger senescence and removal signaling in stored RBCs. ► A mechanistic basis for the improved storage/transfusions of L-units is provided.