Abstract: In order to investigate a method of cell culture and study the functional character of epidermal Langerhans cells(LC),it is necessary to separate LC from the other epidermal cells.Based on purification of LC using Percoll density gradient centrifugation technique,we applied the immunomag-netic isolation technique to isolate and purify mouse LC,and obtained satisfactory results.By the induction of avidin-biotin,we used the immunomagnetic beads directly conjugated to rat-antimouse Ia mono-clonal Ab to adhere to the surface of LC.The positive cells were selected from the epidermal cell suspension through strong magnetic field.The results showed that the enriched cell purity was up to 99%, the cell viability was up to 95% and the rate of cell recovery was up to 80%.Allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction showed that the enriched LC were functionally active.The method is technically simple and fast,and allows good recovery of a highly purified population of LC that are functionally active.

Key words: Langerhans cells, Immunomagnetic isolation