Neutrophil isolation protocol v1

This protocol presents methods for the isolation of untouched neutrophils from whole blood drawn by standard phlebotomy using magnetic-assisted cell separation. Leveraging the STEMCELL Technologies EasySep™ Direct Human Neutrophil Isolation Kit, and its corresponding magnet, for selective targeting of non-neutrophil populations, this protocol may be inserted in the beginning of any workflow involving fresh anticoagulated whole blood, such as isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This workflow minimizes cellular activation and preserves native neutrophil phenotype and function. The enriched neutrophil fraction is suitable for downstream nucleic acid and/or protein extraction to enable assessment of neutrophil-specific states. This protocol supplements original work published by STEMCELL Technologies, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.