Subcellular fractionation of human eosinophils: isolation of functional specific granules on isoosmotic density gradients

J Immunol Methods. 2009 May 15;344(1):64-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2009.03.006. Epub 2009 Mar 26.

Abstract

Subcellular fractionation has been an important tool in investigating human eosinophil structure and function, including localizing of cytokine/chemokines within granules, investigating granule protein translocation and intracellular transport during eosinophil secretion, and studying secretory mechanisms of granules. The resolution of organelles obtained by subcellular fractionation was improved considerably after the introduction of nonionic iodinated density-gradient metrizamide and Nycodenz media that, unlike sucrose, exhibit relatively low tonicity throughout the gradient. However, the structure and membrane preservation of isolated organelles were still compromised due to the lack of gradient isoosmolarity. This paper describes a detailed protocol of subcellular fractionation of nitrogen cavitated eosinophils on an isoosmotic iodinated density gradient (iodixanol - OptiPrep) and the isolation of well preserved and functional membrane-bound specific granules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / chemistry
  • Blood Proteins / chemistry
  • Cell Fractionation / methods*
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient / methods*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / chemistry
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Eosinophil Major Basic Protein
  • Eosinophils / chemistry*
  • Eosinophils / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Proteoglycans / chemistry
  • Subcellular Fractions / chemistry
  • Tetraspanin 30
  • Triiodobenzoic Acids / chemistry

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Blood Proteins
  • CD63 protein, human
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proteoglycans
  • Tetraspanin 30
  • Triiodobenzoic Acids
  • PRG2 protein, human
  • Eosinophil Major Basic Protein
  • iodixanol