Effective concentration of bone marrow mononuclear cells using density gradient separation within an automated cell separator

Abstract An effective method for concentrating bone marrow is described. Concentration was achieved using an intermittent flow cell separator. Elimination of mature haemopoietic cells was enhanced by the addition of a density separation medium (Ficoll-metrizoate) which was then removed by washing. All procedures were undertaken using the cell separator, this allowed for standardization of procedure and less manipulation which is associated with enhanced mononuclear cell recovery and less risk of microbial contamination. Mature granulocytes were depleted by 86.8% and red cells by 97.7% whilst mononuclear cells showed a 49% recovery. Marrows processed in this way and subsequently purged and/or cyropreserved were shown to successfully engraft when reinfused.