Studying skin immune cells under various pathophysiological conditions is vital for understanding the nature of cutaneous inflammatory responses. Available methods of isolating cells from the skin have relatively low yield or require in vitro culture. To increase effective isolation of skin immune cells we used collagenase P treatment. The number of T cells obtained ex vivo using this technique was dramatically greater than conventional methods without the need for long term culture. The phenotype and function of isolated cells were comparable to the cells isolated by EDTA treatment. Collagenase P-based methodology will enhance the ability to investigate lymphoid cell function in healthy and diseased skin.
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