An isologous antigen-antibody reaction with human neutrophiles, related to neonatal neutropenia.

Abstract

Development of methods for detection of leu-kocyte antigens has made possible the classifica-tion of human leukocytes into different antigenic types, distinct from those of erythrocytes. To date several such antigen systems have been de-scribed (1-4). Studies on the distribution of some of these antigens in various blood cells have indicated that they are present in both granulo-cytic and nongranulocytic cells, as well as in platelets (5, 6). It has been shown that these antigens are also present in certain nonhemato-poietic tissues, such as placenta, kidney, and lung (5, 7). This study concerns a new leukocyte antigen, the first that appears to be specific for neutro-philes. In 2 unrelated families, this antigen was responsible for maternal immunization during pregnancy, and the subsequent transplacental transfer of the antibody appeared to be respon-sible for neonatal neutropenia. Methods Antibody sources. Test plasmas used in this study were obtained from 3 multiparous female donors. Ma-ternal plasma DeR was obtained 7 years after the last pregnancy. The first, the third, and the fourth children of this donor had documented neonatal neutropenia and were subjects of a previous publication (8). St plasma was obtained from the mother of a pair of dizygotic twins. The twins were the third and the fourth children of the family, and both had neonatal neutropenia (9). The third plasma, containing a monospecific antibody * Submitted for publication November 26, 1965; ac-