Improved method for the isolation of purified mouse peritoneal macrophages

Mouse peritoneal macrophages were cultured for 45 min in medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) is petri dishes coated overnight with heat-inactivated FCS. After removal of non-adherent cells by washing, adherent cells were detached by a brief incubation in the presence of sub-toxic levels of ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA). Overall peritoneal macrophage recoveries of 90% can be routinely achieved with this method, and full cell viability is maintained.