Human blood composition

In order to isolate components of the human blood, centrifugation with Ficoll medium is performed. This process produces different, clearly distinguishable phases. Red Blood Cells and neutrophils are deposited at the bottom, whereas the upper phase contains plasma (i.e. blood lacking cellular components). The most interesting phase for immunologists is the very thin White Blood Cell phase, also called PBMC layer (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) which mainly consists of lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), but also NK cells, monocytes and dendritic cells. Each type of the mentioned cells can be isolated through enrichment kits such as column and magnetic beads-based systems and cultivated for in vitro studies. Blood samples from patients might reveal interesting features of infection and immunity in order to better understand underlying pathogenesis mechanisms and immune escape strategies, used by viruses such as HIV or cancer. Interestingly, the plasma might be interesting to research and diagnosis purpose as well. Indeed, it contains secreted antibodies and can be used to diagnose ongoing infections. #immunology#science#biology#medicine#lymphocytes#immunesystem#hiv#infection#blood#serum