POLYMORPHONUCLEAR GRANULOCYTE EXPRESSION OF CD11A CD18, CD11B/CD18 AND L-SELECTIN IN NORMAL INDIVIDUALS/

In this study direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry with calibr ation using quantitative bead standards were use to enumerate the cell surface receptors CD11a/CD18, CD11b/CD18 and L-selectin. Holding bloo d at room temperature and fixation of samples prior to staining induce d changes in expression, while immediate staining of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) in whole blood followed by fixation produced accur ate values. The ranges of PMN adhesion molecule expression in IG norma l individuals were CD11a/CD18: 14794-28725, CD11b/CD18: 5300 11939 and L-selectin: 35662-61654 receptors per celt. Differences within indivi duals over 4 h were also observed. Adhesion molecule expression is use d as an index of the adhesive function and state of activation of the cell. The data presented here shows that there is inherent variability in the expression of the PMN adhesion molecules between and within in dividuals, thus direct comparisons of PMN adhesion molecule expression between patients and ''normals'' must be interpreted with caution.