Lack of subclass selection during density purification of human lymphocytes

The percentage of acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) marker-carrying lymphocytes (T-lymphocytes) was determined directly from the blood, after density purification of lymphocytes over Ficoll-Isopaque and removal of monocytes by iron powder plus magnet. The effect of Ficoll-Isopaque centrifugation was insignificant; neither did the iron powder plus magnet procedure increase the relative proportion of the T cells in these preparations. We therefore conclude that in optimal conditions there is no subclass-specific enrichment of T or B lymphocytes during the purification procedure.