Isolation of functional polymorphonuclear leukocytes from rhesus monkeys using discontinuous Ficoll-Hypaque density gradients.

A simple, rapid method for separating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from adult rhesus monkey blood, based on the use of a discontinuous gradient of Ficoll-Hypaque (densities, 1.100, 1.077) has been developed. Using this method, 71.1% of the PMNS were recovered in a layer with a purity of 91% PMNs with very few contaminating erythrocytes. The added advantage of the method described here is that a higher chemotactic activity was retained.