Preparative cell electrophoresis with D2O as a stabilizing agent.

The method of ascending preparative cell electrophoresis in a nonstabilized vertical column can be greatly improved by layering the cells on a starting cushion of buffer prepared in D2O and by stabilizing the liquid column above it with a D2O gradient. D2O/H2O mixtures have no apparent biochemical effects on the cells, and their physiochemical effects are short-lived and reversible. It was possible, by this method, to separate a mixture of glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocytes of three species (rabbit, horse and chicken) into three distinct zones after 15 minutes of electrophoresis. It was also possible to obtain an enriched human lymphocyte fraction containing 96% T-cells, after 1 hour of electrophoresis.