Effect of Various Cell-Dispersing Methods on Ability of Mouse Fetal Liver to Protect Irradiated Mice. II. Fresh Fetal Liver. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Cells from mouse fetal liver were dispersed by various methods and tested for their ability to protect lethally irradiated mice. Intravenous injection of 10⁵, 10⁶ or 10⁷ cells dispersed by means of trypsin plus methocel protected well. Cells dispersed by forcing tissue through a 27-gauge needle or by exposure to pancreatin plus methocel protected well only when 10⁷ cells were injected. Cells obtained by forcing fetal liver through monel mesh did not protect as well as cells dispersed by trypsin plus methocel when either 10⁶ or 10⁷ cells were injected. From the results of these experiments it is concluded that dispersion of mouse fetal liver cells by means of trypsin and methocel permits more multipotential cells to remain viable and that these cells are very susceptible to manipulation.