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  • Title: Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetate (EDTA) mimics the effect of regulatory T cells in suppression assays: a potential pitfall when using AutoMACS-separated cells.
    Author: Dige A, Hvas CL, Kelsen J, Deleuran B, Dahlerup JF, Agnholt J.
    Journal: J Immunol Methods; 2010 Feb 28; 353(1-2):141-4. PubMed ID: 19958773.
    Abstract:
    CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate tolerance towards self antigens and prevent the development of autoimmunity. Treg function is typically evaluated by the ability to suppress proliferation and cytokine production of co-cultured CD4+CD25- T cells in Treg suppression assays. Purified Tregs are often obtained using the "Regulatory T Cell isolation kit" from Miltenyi Biotech. Separation can be performed manually using single columns or automated using the AutoMACS Cell Separator. In this Technical Note we present a serious pitfall in Treg suppression assays when evaluating magnetically separated CD4+CD25+ T cells obtained by the "Regulatory T Cell isolation kit" and AutoMACS Cell Separator. The AutoMACS Running Buffer recommended by the manufacturer for separation contains Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetate (EDTA). Here we show that even minute traces of EDTA in the CD4+CD25+ T cell fraction mediate significant suppression of CD4+CD25- T cell proliferation. The suppressive effect of EDTA is dose-dependent and mimics Treg mediated suppression of CD4+CD25- T cell proliferation. The influence of EDTA can be eliminated by thorough washing of the CD4+CD25+ T cell fraction following the separation. Our observation may have implications for other cell separation methods using EDTA-containing buffers.
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