Mononuclear cells (MNC), also known as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), are prepared from whole blood, buffy coat, bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood by density gradient separation. The following protocol can be used for standard MNC preparation for positive isolation or depletion protocols:
1. Collect blood sample with anticoagulant present (EDTA, ACD, heparin). Dilute peripheral blood 1 + 1, buffy coat 1 + 2, bone marrow 1 + 1 and umbilical cord blood 1 + 3 in PBS w/ 0.1% BSA + 0.6% Na-citrate or 2 mM EDTA.
2. Layer up to 35 mL of the diluted sample over 15 mL gradient medium (such as Ficoll or Lymphoprep solution) in a 50 mL tube.
3. Centrifuge for 400 x g for 30-40 minutes at 18-20 degrees C. If blood has been stored for more than 2 hours, increase centrifugation time by 10 min.
4. Collect MNC from the interface and transfer cells to a 50 mL tube.
5. Wash MNC three times with PBS w/0.1% BSA by centrifugation at 300 x g for 8 min at 2-8 degrees C.
6. Resuspend the cells to 1 x 10E7 cells per milliliter in PBS with 0.1% BSA and cool to 2-8 degrees C.
Note: MNC contain T cells (50%), B cells (5-10%), NK cells (5-10%), and monocytes (30%) without granulocytes and very few platelets.
For use with Untouched/negative isolation kits, the following protocol is recommended to obtain MNC prep with low platelet numbers and the highest possible purity:
Whole blood/buffy coat and bone marrow can be used as a starting material.
1. Dilute 10-18 mL blood/buffy coat with PBS w/ 0.1% BSA + 0.6% Na-citrate or 2 mM EDTA to a total volume of 35 ml at 18-25 degrees C.
2. Add the diluted blood/buffy coat on top of 15 mL of gradient medium (such as Lymphoprep or Ficoll solution).
3 .Centrifuge at 160 x g for 20 min at 20 degrees C. Allow to decelerate without braking.
4. Remove 20 mL of supernatant to eliminate platelets.
5. Centrifuge at 350 x g for 20 min at 20 degrees C. Allow to decelerate without braking.
6 .Recover MNC from the plasma/Lymphoprep solution interface and transfer the cells to a 50 mL tube.
7. Wash MNC once with PBS w/ 0.1% BSA by centrifugation at 400 x g for 8 min at 2-8 degrees C.
8. Wash MNC twice with PBS w/ 0.1% BSA by centrifugation at 225 x g for 8 min at 2-8 degrees C and resuspend the MNC at 1 x 10E8 MNC per milliliter in PBS w/ 0.1% BSA.
Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our
Cell Analysis Support Center.