Blood, 1960, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 968-974.
© 1960 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Immunocytochemical Studies on Platelets. The
Demonstration of a Common Antigen in Human
Platelets and Megakaryocytes
JACINTO J. VAZQUEZ 1 and
JESSICA H. LEWIS 1
1 Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of
Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa.
By means of the fluorescent antibody technic of Coons and Kaplan it was
possible to demonstrate a common antigenic structure in human platelets and
megakaryocytes, both in nonthrombocytopenic cases and in cases with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Direct evidence for a marked increase in
the number of platelets in the spleens of two cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenia is given. The pathogenetic significance of this finding is discussed. It
is concluded that the fluorescent antibody technic is a valuable tool for the
chemical and morphologic study of platelets and megakaryocytes both in
tissues and smears.
Submitted on October 14, 1959
Accepted on December 8, 1959