Studies on the fibrinogen, dextran and phytohemagglutinin methods of isolating leukocytes.

By WILLIAM A. SKOOG AND WILLIAM S. BECK T HE INCREASING INTEREST in leukocyte biochemistry and physiology is largely attributable to the invention of satisfactory simple procedures for the isolation of leukocytes from whole blood. Although some of these methods involve selective destruction of the red cells, the most useful procedures seem to be those based upon the differences in sedimentation behavior between leukocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes (or artificially produced agglomerations of erythrocytes). A variety of technics utilize this principle and each has its own degree of convenience, speed, yield, likelihood of exposure to limiting thermal, physical, or autolytic comiditions, and its own special field of usefulness. The present paper will attempt to clarify the technical aspects of leukocyte isolation by presenting comparative data amid recommended procedures for the three methods which, in the authors’ experience, have had the widest range of applicability-the fibrinogen, dextran, and phytohemagglutinin methods.