Fig. 3.

Effect of storage of blood samples on p53 mRNA concentration in neutrophils obtained from K₃EDTA tubes (a) or RNA-BCTs (b). Blood from normal healthy donors were drawn into K₃EDTA tubes and RNA-BCTs and stored at room temperature. Neutrophils were isolated on days 0, 1, 2 and 3, total RNA extracted, and mRNA for p53 was quantified by RT-qPCR. The p53 mRNA concentration in neutrophils obtained from K₃EDTA blood decreased over time compared to initial day 0 value. There were 1.1- and 1.3-fold decrease at days 2 and 3, respectively. The p53 mRNA concentration in neutrophils obtained from RNA-BCTs remained relatively stable over time except for a slight decrease at day 1. Error bars indicate SD. n = 6. * p = 0.04, ** p = 0.005