Technique of labeling monocytes with 111In-Fe colloid for use in humans

In order to follow monocyte kinetics in hematologic malignancies by means of radioactive labeling, three conditions are necessary: (a) no loss of monocytes during separation, (b) specific labeling of monocytes, and (c) normal functional capacities of the labeled monocytes. In this report a method is described that fulfills the first two conditions and can be executed with maintenance of sterility. Cell labeling was performed using a mononuclear cell suspension consisting of monocytes (20%-50%), lymphocytes (50%-80%), and with minor contamination by granulocytes, thrombocytes, and erythrocytes. This cell suspension was obtained by centrifugation of a leukocyte suspension on a gradient of 16% wt/vol and 22% wt/vol human serum albumin solutions. The recovery of monocytes with this enrichment method approached 100%. Monocytes were labeled by endocytosis of 111In-Fe colloid; monocytes were labeled significantly higher than lymphocytes (P less than 0.001) and granulocytes (P less than 0.01) (Wilcoxon's two-sample test). Cell viability after labeling was greater than 90%.