Studies on a new acute phase protein. III. A thermostable granulocyte antigen in the rat

Antisera against polymorphonuclear leukocytes of the rat and against an extract of these cells heated at 100 degrees C for 1 hr were produced in rabbits. By use of indirect fluorescent antibody technique both immune sera stained neutrophils of the rat. In double diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis the antisera reacted with the heated extract of granulocytes. The antisera exhibited a cross-reactivity with granulocytes of other species. The results indicate that the neutrophils of the rat contain a thermostable antigen. Using immunodiffusion the antigen is demonstrable in sera of rats with inflammatory diseases.