OBJECTIVETo investigate separation and purification of skeletal muscle satellite cells with improved incontinuous density Percoll gradient centrifugation technique.

METHODSThe primary skeletal muscle satellite cells of New Zealand white rabbits were cultured with different adhesion time method and incontinuous density Percoll gradient centrifugation technique. The cells were observed under invert microscope and scanning electron microscope. The degree of purification was examined by celluar immunochemical stain. The growth curve was tested by thiazolyl blue assay.

RESULTSOver 90% satellite cells were harvested by incontinuous density Percoll gradient centrifugation technique, in contrast to which, only 30%-40% cells were harvested by different adhesion time. Morphological observation accorded with satellite cells. The growth curve indicated that the cells grew in a good status.

CONCLUSIONThe high purification satellite cells can be obtained by incontinuous density Percoll gradient centrifugation technique. It is a good method to culture seed cells for tissue engineering applications.