A Histochemical Method for Sulfatase Activity in Hemic Cells and Organ Imprints

1. A new histochemical method is described for arylsulfatase activity (ASA)in hemic cells and organ imprints. Some common limitations in histochemicaltechnics have been tested and appear to be minimized in this method.

2. With the present method, a wide series of hemic cells may be identified,and their ASA separately graded from 0-4.

3. A study has been made of normal ASA values in all series of humanhematopoietic cells and of neutrophilic granulocyte ASA in common laboratory animals. Eosinophils, megakaryocytes, and neutrophils have the highestASA. Increases in ASA occur early during cell maturation in neutrophils andeosinophils.

4. Humans have a higher ASA than the laboratory animals tested. Withincertain species, there is some general correlation between neutrophilic granulocyte ASA and ASA of other organs. Under these conditions, leukocyte ASAis a potentially useful general screening method for ASA.

5. Some factors which enhance or inhibit leukocyte ASA have been tested.

Submitted on August 15, 1960 Accepted on November 5, 1960