Magnetic Beads conjugated Antibodies to Cell Surface Markers

Immunomagnetic cell separation methods have become increasingly popular among the cell biologist. The general approach involves use of paramagnetic particles coated with antibodies against the target specific cell surface molecules. The method employs two schemes for isolating the target cell, direct method that involves coupling of affinity ligand (antibody) onto the magnetic particles, which are then directly added to the sample containing the target cells. During the incubation the magnetic particles binds the target cells that can then be recovered using a magnet. While in case of indirect method, a free affinity ligand (an appropriate antibody) is first added to the cell suspension. After incubation excess unbound affinity ligand is removed by washing, and the antibody-target cell complex is then captured by magnetic particles bearing an affinity ligand (secondary antibody) with the affinity for the primary label. Both positive and negative selection can be performed with immunomagnetic separation. In case of positive selection target cellular subsets are magnetically labeled and subsequently separated, while negative selection involves target purification by removing all other contaminating cells [1,2].

Using this technology large number of cell types has been isolated to date. Some of the examples where immunomagnetic separation technology has been applied includes, detection and removal of circulating tumor cells from peripheral blood [3], isolation of antigen specific CD 8+ T cells [4], selective separation of CD34+ cells [5], isolation and enrichment of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) for culturing [6] etc.

1) Safarik I, Safarikova M: Use of magnetic techniques for the isolation of cells.
J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 1999, 722:33-53.

2) Safarik I, Safarikova M: Cells isolation: magnetic techniques.
In Encyclopedia of Separation Science (Edited by: Wilson ID, Adlard TR, Poole CF, Cool M). London: Academic Press 2000, 2260-2267.

3) Bilkenroth U, Taubert H, Riemann D, Rebmann U, Heynemann H, Meye A: Detection and enrichment of disseminated renal carcinoma cells from peripheral blood by immunomagnetic cell separation.
Int J Cancer 2001, 92(4):577-82.

4) Luxembourg AT, Borrow P, Teyton L, Brunmark AB, Peterson PA, Jackson MR: Biomagnetic isolation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells usable in immunotherapy.
Nat Biotechnol 1998, 16(3):281-285.

5) Kato K, Radbruch A: Isolation and characterization of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells from human peripheral blood by high-gradient magnetic cell sorting.
Cytometry 1993, 14:384-92.

6) Shoge K, Mishima HK, Mukai S, Shinya M, Ishihara K, Kanno M, Sasa M: Rat retinal ganglion cell culture enriched with the magnetic cell sorter.
Neurosci Lett 1999, 259(2):111-114.

Bone Marrow and Blood Cells

Nervous System Cells

Pancreas

Pluripotent Stem Cells PSC

Beads for Infectious Agents

Beads for CD Antigens