Granulocytes do not have surface ABO antigens

There is disagreement whether granulocytes have ABO antigens on their surfaces. We investigated this issue using pure populations of washed granulocytes from healthy individuals of known ABO, Lewis, and secretor phenotypes. The presence of ABO antigens on granulocytes was sought using four different techniques: a granulocyte-red cell mixed agglutination assay; a microleukoagglutination assay; a microgranulocyte cytotoxicity assay; and an immunoradiometric assay for granulocyte-associated IgG. Both fixed and unfixed granulocytes were tested. All tests were negative. Granulocytes do not have ABO antigens on their surfaces.