This method for isolating functional immune cells from the heart provides an alternative to the conventional methods of collagenase digestion, which causes unwanted immune cell activation, resulting in a decreased responsiveness of these cells. Our method of isolation yields functional cardiac immune cells by avoiding problems associated with enzymatic digestion.
McLarty, J. L., Meléndez, G. C., Spencer, W. J., Levick, S. P., Brower, G. L., Janicki, J. S. Isolation of Functional Cardiac Immune Cells. J. Vis. Exp. (58), e3020, doi:10.3791/3020 (2011).