Purification of human blood monocytes by hypotonic density gradient centrifugation in Percoll

Leukocyte cell concentrates, obtained by continuous flow leukapheresis from single donors, were separated on a continuous hypotonic (260 mosM) Percoll gradient. On average, 86% of monocytes were recovered in a sharp band at a purity of up to 91% (average 76%). By this procedure 1-2 X 10(9) monocytes may be obtained from an individual donor. Hypotonic gradient purification, as compared with isotonic (295 mosM) conditions, proved superior with regard to capacity, speed of performance, yield and monocyte purity.