METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTION OF SPECIFIC TARGET CELLS IN SPECIALIZED OR MIXED CELL POPULATIONS AND SOLUTIONS CONTAINING MIXED CELL POPULATIONS

摘要

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting specific targetcells in a simple and time-saving way, using paramagneticparticles, antibodies recognizing the Fe portions of target-cell associatingantibodies and target-cell associating antibodies directed tospecific antigen determinants in the target-cell membranes. Incubation of thecell suspension with detergent and/or second antibodies orantibody fragments, prelabeled or not with fluorescent agents,metallocolloids, radioisotopes, biotin complexes or certain enzymes allowingvisualization, dramatically increase the specificity of the method. The methodand apparatus described provides a solid support and permanentrecord which is easily viewed by microscopy, permits viewing andquantification of the whole specimen rather than small fractions thereofand allows the use of large specimen volumes to be analysed, the device mayalso be scanned automatically by conventional densitometrictechnology. The method and apparatus can be used for isolation of the targetcells by magnetic field application, and a kit and apparatusfor performing the method according to the invention is described.