Cell fractionation and arrangement on fibers, beads, and surfaces.

A new method, fiber fractionation, has been used to isolate and separate cells. The cells are adsorbed to fibers covalently coupled to molecules such as antigens, antibodies, and lectins which can bind specifically to cell-surface components. The cells are then removed mechanically by plucking the taut fibers. Alternatively, competitive inhibitors of binding may be used to remove the cells at a lesser rate. Successful fractionations have been achieved by varying the degree of derivatization of the fibers by the lectin concanavalin A. Lymphoid cells have been separated by the use of different antigens coupled to the fibers. The method may also be used for specific fixation and manipulation of viable cell populations in culture. In addition to fibers, beads and surfaces have been specifically derivatized and used to achieve different geometrical arrangements of the cells.