Welcome to the Laboratory for Leukocyte Immunology
Leukocytes / white blood cells bear specific antigens comparable to blood groups on erythrocytes / red blood cells.
Our laboratory for leukocyte immunology is engaged in the determination of such antigens, especially neutrophil antigens, and in the detection of antibodies against granulocytes and lymphocytes.
If directed against autologous granulocytes (autoantibodies), these antibodies are able to cause autoimmune neutropenia (AIN). This disease is most frequent among children under 3 years of age. Some drugs are also capable of inducing autoantibodies against blood cells (drug-induced autoimmune neutropenia).
Antibodies induced against allogeneic neutrophil antigens (alloantibodies), e.g. during pregnancy, may lead to neonatal immune neutropenia in the newborn. Pathophysiology of this disease is analogous to haemolytic disease of the newborn, e.g. due to maternal antibodies against Rhesus D antigen. Neutrophil alloantibodies in blood components may cause severe lung injury in the recipient (Transfusion-related acute lung injury = TRALI)
Prof. Dr. med. Jürgen Bux
Dr. med. Angelika Reil Laboratory Director
Laboratory for Leukocyte Immunology
Feithstraße 182
58097 Hagen
Phone: 02331 807-560
