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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Flotation-Based T Cell Isolation, Activation, and Expansion from Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Samples Using Microbubbles
Published on: December 23, 2022
Fast sorting of CD4+ T cells from whole blood using glass microbubbles
Chia-Hsien Hsu1, Chihchen Chen2, Daniel Irimia3
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan ; Institute of Nanoengineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, No. 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
Abstract:
The isolation of CD4 positive T lymphocyte (CD4+) from peripheral blood is important for monitoring patients after HIV infection. Here, we demonstrate a fast isolation strategy for CD4+ cells that involves mixing blood and glass microbubbles. After the specific binding of target cells to the microbubbles carrying specific antibodies on their surface, target cells will spontaneously float to the top of the blood vial and can be quickly separated. Using this strategy, we demonstrate that the isolation of CD4+ cells in less than 5 minutes and with better than 90% efficiency. This strategy for cell isolation based on buoyancy and glass microbubbles is quick and inexpensive, minimizes blood handling, does not require magnetic fields, or centrifugation equipment, and could lead to new, efficient strategies for AIDS diagnosis in resource-limited areas.
