Handling, storage, and preparation of human blood cells.

Human peripheral blood samples are probably the most common specimens submitted for flow cytometric analysis. Handling and preparation will vary depending on the cell lineage to be examined and the type of assay. This unit presents protocols for separating white cells by lysing erythrocytes, isolating mononuclear cells by trilineage separation, and assorted methods for isolating or enriching specific cell populations, including monocytes, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells, stem cells, and platelets.