Does Percoll Kill WBCs? - (Jun/21/2007 )

Hello all,

One of our students came to me today and asked me if Percoll will kill white blood cells if the cells contact it for too long. I have very little experience with Percoll separations...and the answer didn't jump out at me during my quick reading of the technical literature.

Could someone please help me with a response? She's a thoroughly curious person, so I'm anticipating several "Why?" questions to follow the answer.

Thanks!

Stasha

I don't have complete answer for you but when I was first taught to isolate PBMC, I was told to do the steps as fast as possible as Percoll kills PBMC if they are in contact for long time and the number of isolated cells will be less. Why and how - I don't know. They are however toxic to cells if kept in contact for long time. So, I do as fast as I can and as soon as I take the cloudy layer in another tube, I dilute and spin down the cells and then suspend in a medium.

Hello all,

One of our students came to me today and asked me if Percoll will kill white blood cells if the cells contact it for too long. I have very little experience with Percoll separations...and the answer didn't jump out at me during my quick reading of the technical literature.

Could someone please help me with a response? She's a thoroughly curious person, so I'm anticipating several "Why?" questions to follow the answer.

Thanks!

Stasha

Thank you! (sorry for the delay)