The mechanism of removal of leukocytes by cellulose columns.

Cellulose columns efficiently remove leukocytes from whole blood. Interaction of leukocytes with cellulose particles is not affected by glucose, galactose, fructose, mannose, or cellobiose. Although red cells normally pass through cellulose columns, they are retained after fixation in glutaraldehyde. We conclude that the leukocyte-removing activity of cellulose columns is due to mechanical filtration rather than to specific adherence of leukocytes to the cellulose particles.