A method for isolating large numbers of viable disaggregated cells from various human tissues for cell culture establishment.

A method is described for the isolation of large numbers of viable disaggregated cells from human tissues. This method combined the mechanical action of a Stomacher Model 80 Lab Blender, 0.1 mg/ml trypsin or 0.5 mg/ml collagenase, and 0.1 mM [ethylene bis(oxyethylenenitrolo)]-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). Tissue (0.2 to 1.0 g) obtained from human fetal intestine, kidney, liver, lung, and skin were separately minced into approximately 1-mm3 pieces. The pieces were placed in a sterile bag containing 60 ml of calcium- magnesium-free phosphate buffered saline, the appropriate enzyme (0.1 mg/ml trypsin or 0.5 mg/ml collagenase) plus 0.1 mM EGTA, and 0.1% methylcellulose. The bag was then placed into the blender and mixed at a low speed for 3 to 20 min at room temperature. After a single cell suspension was observed by phase contrast microscopy, 10 ml of bovine calf serum was added to the cell suspension to inactivate the proteolytic enzymes. At this time 130 ml of cold Hanks' balanced salts solution containing 5% bovine calf serum was added and the entire cell suspension passed through a tissue sieve (100 mesh, 140 micron) and the cells collected by centrifugation. These cells were then resuspended into the appropriate culture medium. In comparison to other methods for establishment of cell cultures from human tissues, the method described requires shorter incubation times with relatively low concentrations of proteolytic enzymes, and yields two- to three-fold greater number of cells per tissue with 86 to 93% viability. Also, depending on the cell type, 50 to 75% of the isolated cells attached to the culture vessel within 24 h. Variation of the time and concentration of digestive enzymes can be used to select different cell types for culture.