Leukocytic thermostable alpha-glycoprotein and lactoferrin from granulocyte cytoplasm (immunocytochemical study)

The immunofluorescence techniques with monospecific antibodies to lactoferrin (LF) and leukocytic thermostable alpha-glycoprotein (LT alpha-G) has demonstrated that both the proteins are specific components of the peripheral blood granulocytes of normal subjects. LF and LT alpha-G are detectable in the cytoplasmic granules of polynuclear leukocytes but not on the external surface of these cells' membranes. Differences between the direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques, used for the detection of the granulocytic LF and LT alpha-G are discussed. Examinations of the blood smears from patients, operated on under artificial circulation, have shown that the emergence of granulocytic protein aggregates between the cells and LF and LT alpha-G sorption on the red cell surface indicate a disease.