Separation of megakaryocytes from rat bone marrow cells using velocity sedimentation in an isokinetic gradient ficoll in tissue culture medium.

A technique for the purification of rat megakaryocytes is described. Velocity sedimentation in a previously described isokinetic gradient of Ficoll (polysucrose) in tissue culture medium was more effective than isopycnic sedimentation for the purification of megakaryocytes and resulted in preparations of magekaryocytes which contained 2.4 +/- 0.8% (range 1.85-3.60%) megakaryocytes. Megakaryocytes exhibited a broad range of density between 1.06 and 1.15 gm/ml. The inaccuracy which is inherent in the use of velocity sedimentation without isopycnic sedimentation as a means of particle size analysis is discussed.