TRANSFUSION OF LEUKOCYTES LABELED WITH RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS

Abstract

Mechanisma involved in the failure to raise the white blood cell count by transfusion were studied by determining the fate of transfused leukocytes labeled with P32. The distribution of radioactivity in various tissues of the body was detd. following the injn. of labeled leukocytes. In rabbits sacrificed 30 min. after the intraven. injn. of radioactive leukocytes, most of the radioactivity was found in the lungs. The marked accumulation of radioactivity in the lungs also occurred when the radioactive leukocytes were transfused via the aorta as well as the femoral and carotid arteries. The accumulation of radioactivity in the lungs was correlated with the histologic demonstration of engorgement of the intra-alveolar septa of the lungs with leukocytes. It is concluded that the lungs exert a selective action in the immediate removal of transfused leukocytes. The function of the liver and spleen in the removal of leukocytes is much less marked and the function of the peripheral capillaries in this respect is negligible.