Unmodified phagocytosis after periodate treatment of human granulocytes separated by a two-step method using Ficoll-Hypaque and polyvinylic alcohol medium.

A two-step method separating granulocytes and mononuclear cells from a single sample of 10 ml human blood is described. The technique combines a Ficoll-Hypaque treatment and a sedimentation in a Polyvinylic alcohol medium. This method (FHP) is then compared to the Ficoll-Hypaque-Dextran procedure. The FHP method requires approximately 2 h to be carried out and results in the preparation of granulocytes (greater than 99% purity) with high yield (40.7 % +/- 9.1). The cell viability exceeds 95%. Moreover the enzymic and phagocytic properties of polymorphonuclear cells are preserved after isolation. This method is then applied to study the influence of periodate treatment on nonspecific phagocytosis. In contrast with monocytes, we observed no decrease of phagocytic process.