A microimmunofluorescent assay to detect human granulocyte antigens and antibodies

Granulocyte antibodies are important in the pathogenesis of neonatal granulocytopenia, in some varieties of idiopathic granulocytopenia, and in transfusion reactions, particularly since the development of leukocyte transfusion therapy for granulocytopenic patients. Previous assays for the detection of granulocyte-specific antigens and antibodies were cumbersome, complex, and unreliable. Thus we have now described a new microimmunofluorescent method to assay human granulocyte antigens and their antibodies. This sensitive and reliable technique allows for the preservation of human granulocyte antigenicity for at least 24 hours. The granulocyte-specific antigens of a Caucasian population, residing in metropolitan New York, were studied by this microimmunofluorescent method. We report the distribution of granulocyte-specific antigens in this population, together with the corresponding gene frequency. This microimmunofluorescent test should improve our understanding of antigenic systems restricted to single cell populations.