Plateletpheresis Residues: A Source of Large Quantities of Human Blood Lymphocytes

Abstract

The residue from single-donor plateletpheresis contains a large number of human mononuclear cells. We have been able to harvest more than 1 X 10(9) viable lymphocytes for laboratory study from the leukocyte-rich sediment that previously had been discarded. Prior to removal by adherence 5 X 10(8) monocytes were also available for future purification, if desired. The physical properties and response to phytohemagglutinin were very similar when lymphocytes isolated from plateletpheresis residues were compared with those obtained directly from veneous blood.