Introduction
Lymphocytes are essential immune system cells that fight pathogens. Isolating them from blood is necessary for various immunological studies. Lymphocyte separation tubes (LSTs) are a common tool for this purpose.
Lymphocyte separation tubes (LST) Function
LSTs use density gradient centrifugation, a technique that separates blood components based on their weight. The tube contains a ficoll-hypaque solution, a density medium. Blood anticoagulated with a specific substance (e.g., sodium citrate, heparin) is layered on top of the ficoll-hypaque solution in the LST. Centrifugation separates the blood into layers based on density.
Lymphocyte Enrichment
Red blood cells (RBCs) sink to the bottom due to their high density. Plasma, the liquid part of blood, forms the top layer. Lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes (all considered peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) due to having one nucleus) have a medium density and form a band between the plasma and the ficoll-hypaque layer. LSTs are designed to optimize this area for efficient PBMC collection.
Considerations
Cell Purity:
LST-isolated PBMCs may still contain some granulocytes and erythrocytes. Additional purification steps might be required depending on the experiment.
Cell Viability:
Careful handling of blood samples and following manufacturer instructions are crucial for maintaining high lymphocyte viability.
Anticoagulant Choice:
The type of anticoagulant used can affect cell viability and downstream applications. Researchers should choose an anticoagulant compatible with their specific needs.
Lymphocytes, key players in the adaptive immune system, are crucial for defending the body against pathogens. Isolating them from blood is a critical step in various immunological studies and holds significant implications for the field of biotechnology. Lymphocyte Separation Tubes for Human Peripheral Blood leverage density gradient centrifugation to efficiently enrich lymphocytes from whole blood samples. This technology plays a vital role in advancing various biotechnological applications.
1. Convenient
The separation tube is with a pre-filled
separation medium,ready to use. Anticoagulated blood may be directly
poured into the tube without dilution.
2. Safe
The separation medium is of medical grade, with low endotoxin.
The tube body is made of polypropylene, the sieve plate in the tube is of medical grade, and both are non-toxic.
3. Excellent separation Performance
Layers are obvious and strips are clear.
Il has high purity and high yield.
A polyethylene sieve plate with a large sieve size is fixed in the centrifugai tube, and the whole blood may be directly poured into the separation tube without being mixed with the separation medium below the sieve plate in advance, thus effectively reducing the recontaminalion raie of erythrocyles and granulocytes. The separated cells may be poured out direclly.
Advantages of LSTs
Convenience:
LSTs come pre-filled with the separation medium, saving researchers time and reducing errors.
Efficiency:
LSTs isolate PBMCs from blood samples quickly and effectively.
Reproducibility:
Standardized LSTs promote consistent PBMC isolation across experiments.
Scalability:
LSTs come in various sizes for different blood volumes, accommodating diverse research needs.
Conclusion
LSTs are a valuable tool for isolating PBMCs from human blood. Their convenience, efficiency, and reproducibility make them popular for various immunological studies. However, researchers should consider potential limitations, such as cell purity and the impact of anticoagulant choice, to ensure optimal results for their specific applications.
For additional information on the immune system and related applications of lymphocyte separation techniques, consider exploring scientific resources or consulting with an immunology specialist.