Method for Separating Cells

Abstract

The present invention is related to a method for separating a first population of cells from a second population of cells in a sample by discontinuous density gradient separation using dense particles to target the first population of cells and a density separation medium (DSM) that is at least about 0.001 g/cm 3 higher than the density of the second population of cells.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A kit for separating a first population of cells from a second population of cells comprising one or more aliquots of a density separation medium having a density at least about 0.001 g/cm 3  greater than the mean density of the second population of cells, one or more aliquots of cell-specific targeting agents and one or more aliquots of dense particles.  
     
     
         29 . The kit according to  claim 28 , wherein the dense particles are red blood cells.  
     
     
         30 . The kit according to  claim 29 , wherein the cell-specific targeting agents are tetrameric antibody complexes that link the first population of cells to the red blood cells.  
     
     
         31 . The kit according to  claim 28 , wherein the dense particles are silica particles.  
     
     
         32 . The kit according to  claim 28 , wherein the cell-specific targeting agents are tetrameric antibody complexes that link the first population of cells to the dense particles.  
     
     
         33 . The kit according to  claim 28 , wherein the cell-specific targeting agent is an antibody or antibody cocktail that binds the first population of cells and the dense particles.  
     
     
         34 . The kit according to  claim 28  comprising one or more aliquots of a density separation medium having a density at least about 0.002 g/cm 3  greater than the mean density of the second population of cells.  
     
     
         35 . The kit according to  claim 28  comprising one or more aliquots of a density separation medium having a density at least about 0.004 g/cm 3  greater than the mean density of the second population of cells.  
     
     
         36 . A kit for separating a first population of cells from a second population of cells comprising one or more aliquots of a density separation medium having a density at least about 0.001 g/cm 3  greater than the mean density of the second population of cells, and one or more aliquots of dense particles coated with one or more cell-specific binding agents that bind the first population of cells.  
     
     
         37 . The kit according to  claim 36 , wherein the dense particles are red blood cells.  
     
     
         38 . The kit according to  claim 36 , wherein the dense particles are silica particles.  
     
     
         39 . The kit according to  claim 38 , wherein the dense particles are coated with one or more antibodies that bind the first population of cells.  
     
     
         40 . The kit according to  claim 39 , wherein the antibodies are tetrameric antibody complexes.  
     
     
         41 . The kit according to  claim 36  comprising one or more aliquots of a density separation medium having a density at least about 0.002 g/cm 3  greater than the mean density of the second population of cells.  
     
     
         42 . The kit according to  claim 36  comprising one or more aliquots of a density separation medium having a density at least about 0.004 g/cm 3  greater than the mean density of the second population of cells.  
     
     
         43 . The kit according  claim 28 , further comprising printed instructions.  
     
     
         44 . The kit according  claim 36 , further comprising printed instructions.