[Origin and significance of a thermostable granulocyte antigen]

In 1972 the thermostabile antigen of granulocytes was for the first time isolated by Thoss and Abendroth from punctates of the joint of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Its origin from mature neutrophil granulocytes was ascertained by fluorescence-microscopic investigations. In the present paper the existence of thermostabile antigen of granulocytes in neutrophil granulocytes could be confirmed. The fluorescence pattern of neutrophil granulocytes of healthy persons did not show any differences in comparison to patients with inflammatory or myeloproliferative diseases as well as granulocytes from punctates of the joint or sternal marrow. With the help of punctates of the lymph-nodes the presence of thermostabile antigens of granulocytes in cells of the lymphatic system could be excluded. In smears of the sternal marrow positive fluorescence could be proved in the myelopoesis in neutrophil metamyelocytes. Quantitative investigations in inflammatory and myeloproliferative diseases as well as in granulocytopenias showed that the TSGA -serum values of the numbers of granulocytes go parallel. In punctates of the joint of patients with rheumatoid arthritis we found concentrations of thermostabile antigens of granulocytes which up to 50-fold were above the normal values of the serum. There was a close correlation to the number of granulocytes in the synovial fluid and to the cytological local activity. The TSGA -level can be regarded as indicator of granulocytic activation.