Purification of human blood eosinophils by a combination method using anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody, immunobeads, and...

A simple method is described for the procurement of human blood eosinophil phenotypes by combining an anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody, immunobeads, and a non-toxic and non-ionic density gradient medium, Nycodenz. The purification depends on the removal of mononuclear cells using a 1.076/1.102 g/ml Nycodenz density gradient, partial removal of neutrophils based on different binding to plastic dishes, interaction of residual neutrophils with immunobeads via an anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody and, finally, extraction of eosinophil phenotypes by sifting the immunobeads-loaded neutrophils through an 1.080/1.102 g/ml Nycodenz density gradient. This method permits simultaneous preparation of highly purified normodense (> 1.080 g/ml) and hypodense eosinophils (< 1.080 g/ml) with reasonable chemiluminescence responses to opsonized zymosans and helminthotoxic activity to opsonized schistosomula corresponding to their own immunocytological properties.