Separation of Human Colostral Macrophages and Neutrophils on Gelatin and Collagen-Serum Substrata

Abstract

A new technique for separation of human colostral macrophages and neutrophils was developed. Macrophages attached more readily to acid soluble collagen-serum or gelatin-serum substrata than neutrophils. Most of the adherent neutrophils were removed during the first 5 minutes incubation in 3 mM EDTA, thereafter, complete detachment of macrophages followed. Neutrophils and macrophages were enriched more than 80% in nonadherent cell populations and detached cell populations, respectively. These separated colostral leukocytes retained their viability and phagocytic activities. Therefore, functional studies of these purified human colostral leukocytes are possible.