DISTRIBUTION OF CATHEPSIN-D IN HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR AND MONONUCLEAR BLOOD-CELLS

We have investigated the distribution of cathepsin D in mononuclear an d polymorphonuclear cells using an anti-rabbit human cathepsin D antib ody and indirect immunofluorescence. Lymphocytes showed the same fluor escence intensity as control cells incubated with normal serum. Fluore scence staining patterns of polymorphonuclear cells differed according to the fixative used. Monocytes and granulocytes fixed in ethanol, me thanol, glutaraldehyde, and Bouin's fixative caused a homogeneous cyto plasmic staining with a distinct nuclear sparing. A perinuclear staini ng was seen in acetone-fixed cells in both monocytes and granulocytes. Another interesting difference was observed between monocytes and gra nulocytes when formalin was used as fixative. Monocytes appeared with a cytoplasmic staining, but in formalin-fixed granulocytes redistribut ion to the nuclear membrane was seen.