Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Numerous cell types are involved in maintenance of the intestinal tissue. However, the main players are cells of the epithelial lining and the immune system. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are used to investigate the effect of food bioactives on various immune cells. These cells are easily isolated from blood of healthy donors or buffy coats (leukocyte concentrates, a by-product from hospital Blood Banks in the manufacturing of red blood cell and thrombocyte concentrates from anti-coagulated whole blood). PBMCs have a different composition, phenotype and activation status than cells found in intestinal tissue. However, this is a useful test system for investigation of immune modulatory effects of food bioactive compounds. Methods for the isolation of PBMCs and how they are used to investigate effects of bioactive components are discussed in this chapter.