title: Immunofluorescence staining of agarose-embedded cells. A new technique developed for immunological characterization of markers on a small number of cells.
abstract: A simple new method for the immunofluorescence staining of small numbers of cells is described: cell suspensions are mixed with low-temperature-gelling agarose at 37 degrees C and 2 microliter samples of agarose containing cells are dispensed onto multitest microslides precoated with agarose. The cells are subsequently stained by immunofluorescence techniques. Alternatively, the cell slides can be stored in liquid nitrogen until immunofluorescence staining is carried out. Since cells are entrapped within the agarose matrix, cell loss is prevented during staining and washing procedures. The method permits staining of as few as 250 cells for each marker, thus enabling simultaneous characterization of several separate cell markers in cerebrospinal fluid or other body compartments from which comparatively few cells are obtainable.
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D012685:Sepharose
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D012685:Sepharose