Treatment of cell suspensions with DNase I and trypsin completely removes mechanically damaged and dead cells and has little effect on viability of cells that have integrity of their plasma membrane preserved. Some cell surface receptors/antigens, however, are removed by such a treatment. Subsequent incubation of cells in culture media for 2-4 h restores the cell surface coat. The protocol is presented in the chapter on assaying cell viability in Methods in Cell Biol., (1994) Vol. 41, pages 20-21 (also in Cancer Res., 44: 83-90, 1984). This treatment is particularly useful to remove dead cells after mechanical isolation of cells from solid tumors. Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz
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