Enrichment of dog leukocyte subpopulations using density gradients

Density gradient methods have been used for the enrichment of leukocyte subpopulations from human blood. We have adapted a three step method utilizing centrifugation on Hypaque-Ficoll (HF), double density HF (ddHF) and Percoll density gradients to separate lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils from dog blood. After HF separation, both Basenji-Greyhound (BG) and mongrel dogs had similar percentages of lymphocytes and monocytes, but BG dogs had significantly greater (p greater than 0.025) numbers of granulocytes. When cells from HF gradients were spun directly on Percoll, the presence of granulocytes decreased the purification of leukocyte subpopulations. An intervening separation on a ddHF gradient removed granulocytes without a selective loss of lymphocytes or monocytes. When cells from ddHF gradients were further separated on Percoll, 2 distinct cell layers resulted. Layer 1 was monocyte rich with 72.4 +/- 6.5% monocytes, 26.6 +/- 6.2% lymphocytes, and 0.8 +/- 1.8% granulocytes. Layer 2 was lymphocyte rich with 74.3 +/- 11.1% lymphocytes, 21.4 +/- 7.8% monocytes and 3.9 +/- 4.2% granulocytes. Viability as determined by Trypan blue exclusion was above 90%. Using cAMP-Phosphodiesterase (PDE) as a marker, higher PDE activity was present in the monocyte rich layer. This was similar to that reported in humans. Basophil numbers were enhanced by the use of a 1-step separation on a ddHF gradient. The percentage of basophils was increased 10-fold over baseline levels, with a viability of 90%. These techniques can be used to purify various canine leukocyte subpopulations and provide cells for biochemical analysis.