Summary
Isolation of lymphocytes using the Miltenyi MACs kit is a reliable way to purify cells from whole lymphoid tissue homogenates. Cells purified using the Miltenyi system are typically ≥ 96% pure. Here, we demonstrate the steps taken to isolate CD4+ T cells, one of the many kits offered by Miltenyi.
Abstract
Isolation of cells from the primary source is a necessary step in many more complex protocols. Miltenyi offers kits to isolate cells from several organisms including humans, non-human primates, rat and, as we describe here, mice. Magnetic bead-based cell separation allows for either positive selection (or cell depletion) as well as negative selection. Here, we demonstrate negative selection of untouched or na ve CD4+ helper T cells. Using this standard protocol we typically purify cells that are ≥ 96% pure CD4+/CD3+. This protocol is used in conjunction with the protocol Dissection and 2-Photon Imaging of Peripheral Lymph Nodes in Mice published in issue 7 of JoVE, for purification of T cells and other cell types to adoptively transfer for imaging purposes. Although we did not demonstrate FACS analysis in this protocol video, it is highly recommended to check the overall purity of isolated cells using the appropriate antibodies via FACS. In addition, we demonstrate the non-sterile method of T cell isolation. If sterile cells are needed for your particular end-user application, be sure to do all of the demonstrated procedures in the tissue culture hood under standard sterile conditions. Thank you for watching and good luck with your own experiments!
Protocol
Please read and follow the protocol included in the Miltenyi kit or online at http://www.miltenyibiotec.com/.
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Discussion
Isolation of cells from the primary source is a necessary step in many more complex protocols. Miltenyi offers kits to isolate cells from several organisms including humans, non-human primates, rat and, as we describe here, mice. Magnetic bead-based cell separation allows for either positive selection (or cell depletion) as well as negative selection. Here, we demonstrate negative selection of untouched or na ve CD4+ helper T cells. Using this standard protocol we typically purify cells that are ≥ 96% pure CD4+/CD3+. Although we did not demonstrate FACS analysis in this protocol video, it is highly recommended to check the overall purity of isolated cells using the appropriate antibodies via FACS. In addition, we demonstrate the non-sterile method of T cell isolation. If sterile cells are needed for your particular end-user application, be sure to do all of the demonstrated procedures in the tissue culture hood under standard sterile conditions.
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Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgments
We wish to thank Rebecca Paquett for the preparation of MACS buffer.
Materials
| Name | Type | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
| MACS Buffer | Reagent | None | None | Prepare as described by Miltenyi. |
| CD4+ T cell Isolation Kit: Untouched Isolation | Reagent | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-090-860 | For use with the Miltenyi system. |
| Sterile Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) | Reagent | For use in the preparation of MACS buffer. | ||
| Corning 35mm Not TC-Treated Culture Dish | Other | Corning | 430588 | Used in the preparation of a single cell suspension. |
| 70 micron Cell Strainer | Tool | BD Biosciences | 352350 | Used in the preparation of a single cell suspension. |
| 6 mL Syringe | Tool | Tyco Healthcare, Covidien | 8881516051 | Used in the preparation of a single cell suspension. |
| 10x Dulbecco’s Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS) | Reagent | Invitrogen | 14200-075 | For use in RBC lysis. |
| Sterile Water | Reagent | Sigma-Aldrich | W4502 | For use in RBC lysis. |
References
- Miller, M. J., Hejazi, A. S., Wei, S. H., Cahalan, M. D., Parker, I. T cell repertoire scanning is promoted by dynamic dendritic cell behavior and random T cell motility in the lymph node. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101, 998-1003 (2004).
- Matheu, M. P., Deane, J. A., Parker, I., Fruman, D. A., Cahalan, M. D. Class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase modulates basal lymphocyte motility in the lymph node. J Immunol. 179, 2261-2269 (2007).
