A single centrifugation step method for the simultaneous separation of different leukocytes with special reference to basophilic leukocytes.

A simple method of separating mononuclear leukocytes, basophils, neutrophils and an eosinophil fraction from human blood is described, using discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. Mononuclear cells were found in the upper layer (band 1) at a density of less than or equal to 1.072. The second band with a density of less than or equal to 1.082 contained most of the basophilic leukocytes (av. 70% and 8-20% of the differential cell count) and a minor part of the mononuclear cells (av. 8%). In the third band, density less than or equal to 1.1, 82-91% of the polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were found, consisting mainly of neutrophils. 35-70% of the eosinophilic PMN cells are located in band four (density greater than 1.1). The function of the basophil-enriched fraction was tested by degranulation with specific antigen.