COMPARISON OF MITOGEN RESPONSES OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS SEPARATED USING COATED METAL BEADS AND BY TRADITIONAL METHODS

In this paper we compare the effects of lymphocyte function of separating peripheral blood mononuclear cells into T and B lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies and coated metal beads (Dynabeads), with traditional plastic adherence and sheep erythrocyte binding techniques. We demonstrate that B cell function is unaffected using the new Dynabead method but that T cell function is impaired. We ascribe these observations to modulations of the cell surface molecule(s) expressing the lineage specific determinant used in the selection procedure, rather than to inherent difficulties with using the Dynabeads. © 1990.