Tissue localization and the establishment of a sensitive immunoassay of the newly discovered human phospholipase B-precursor (PLB-P)

Human phospholipase B-precursor (PLB-P) is a newly identified and purified protein from human neutrophils. The precise function of PLB-P in vivo is not yet known. Its existence in neutrophils and the enzymatic activity against phospholipids imply a role in the defence against invading microorganisms and in the generation of lipid mediators of inflammation. We describe here the generation of specific antibodies against PLB-P, the tissue localizations of PLB-P and the establishment of an accurate, specific, and reproducible radioimmunoassay (RIA). A survey of normal and malignant tissues showed strong immunostaining of PLB-P in neuronal and myeloid cells and in adrenal glands. Elevated levels were found in sera of patients with influenza A infection i.e. > 1 μg/L and in gut fluids of patients with inflammatory bowel disease i.e. > 20 μg/L. The levels correlated to markers of neutrophil activation, suggesting a neutrophil origin of PLB-P in these conditions. The antibodies and the assay will be useful in the future basic and clinical investigations of PLB-P.