Fig. 3.

Comparison of Percoll density gradients for flow cytometry analysis of brain cell recovery. Neural cells were isolated from adult brain by enzymatic dissociation followed by comparison of 30 % and 30–70 % Percoll density gradients to separate cells from myelin and debris. DAPI staining of dead cells was applied to the analysis of total cells (A), CD11b+/CD45+ microglia/macrophages (B), CD11b-/CD45+ lymphocytes (B), and ACSA-2+ astrocytes (C). Graphs show cell recovery as well as the fraction of dead cells (%) for each brain population, comparing values after 30 % and 30–70 % Percoll purification. Data represent mean ± S.E.M. (n = 5–6). *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001.