Nylon Wool Fiber is a prewashed column matrix used for differential-adherence fractionation of mixed leukocyte populations. Under established nylon wool separation conditions, B lymphocytes and granulocytes are preferentially retained by the fiber, while T lymphocytes are enriched in the nonadherent fraction.
The bulk fiber is supplied prewashed and ready for packing into user-prepared columns. Packed columns can be autoclaved before use. Because nylon wool fractionation is based on differential cellular adherence rather than immunoaffinity capture, the composition and recovery of each fraction depend on the specimen, column configuration, cell loading, incubation temperature, and separation procedure.
Available in 10 g and 50 g bulk packages for preparation of columns appropriate to the scale of the experiment.
Key Properties
- Prewashed nylon wool fiber
- Bulk matrix for user-packed leukocyte separation columns
- Used for differential-adherence fractionation of T- and B-lymphocyte populations
- B lymphocytes and granulocytes are preferentially retained under established separation conditions
- Nonadherent fraction is enriched in T lymphocytes
- Adherent cell fractions can be recovered separately
- Packed columns can be autoclaved before use
- Available in 10 g and 50 g packages
- Storage: room temperature
Applications
T-Lymphocyte Enrichment
Nylon wool columns are used to enrich T lymphocytes from mixed leukocyte preparations. Cells with greater adherence to the nylon matrix are retained preferentially, while the nonadherent effluent is enriched in T lymphocytes.
T- and B-Lymphocyte Fractionation
Differential adherence to nylon wool can be used to generate T-cell-enriched and B-cell-enriched fractions. After collection of the nonadherent fraction, adherent cells can be dislodged and recovered separately using the established elution procedure.
Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Fractionation
Nylon Wool Fiber can be used with peripheral blood leukocyte preparations when differential-adherence fractionation is appropriate for the experimental workflow.
Cell Phenotyping Workflows
Nylon wool fractionation has been used to prepare lymphocyte-enriched populations for downstream immunological characterization and phenotyping. Fraction composition should be verified using the analytical method appropriate to the experiment.
Separation Considerations
- The fiber has undergone a prewash step before packaging
- Cell adherence to nylon wool is temperature dependent
- B-cell adherence is reduced at 20°C and 4°C relative to 37°C
- Column size, fiber quantity, cell loading, medium, incubation time, and temperature can affect recovery and enrichment
- A second nylon wool separation can increase B-cell depletion but may reduce overall T-cell recovery
- Nylon wool fractionation enriches cell populations; final purity depends on the specimen and separation conditions
The Polysciences procedure uses incubation at 37°C to promote differential adherence. For detailed column preparation, equilibration, cell loading, incubation, and elution conditions, follow the Nylon Wool Fiber Technical Data Sheet.
Column Preparation & Use
- Pack the required amount of prewashed fiber into the selected column format
- Autoclave the packed column when sterile processing is required
- Equilibrate the column with the selected medium before applying cells
- Ensure the nylon wool is fully wetted and free of trapped air before loading the cell suspension
- Maintain the incubation temperature and timing specified by the separation protocol
- Collect the nonadherent fraction before recovering adherent cells
When downstream experiments measure T-cell activation, proliferation, cytokine production, or related functional responses, the isolation procedure should be validated for the experimental system because nylon wool treatment can influence T-cell activation behavior.
Handling & Storage
- Store at room temperature
- Keep cool in a well-ventilated location
- Exercise normal laboratory care during handling
- Wear appropriate laboratory protective equipment
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FAQ
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1. What is Nylon Wool Fiber used for?
Nylon Wool Fiber is used for differential-adherence fractionation of leukocyte populations. It is commonly used to enrich T lymphocytes and to generate T-cell-enriched and B-cell-enriched fractions.
2. How does nylon wool enrich T lymphocytes?
B lymphocytes and other more adherent cells are preferentially retained by the nylon matrix under established separation conditions. T lymphocytes are less adherent and are therefore enriched in the nonadherent effluent.
3. Does Nylon Wool Fiber retain granulocytes?
Yes. Granulocytes are among the leukocyte populations that preferentially adhere to the fiber under nylon wool separation conditions.
4. Is Nylon Wool Fiber prewashed?
Yes. The bulk fiber is prewashed before packaging and is ready to be packed into user-prepared columns.
5. Can packed nylon wool columns be autoclaved?
Yes. The bulk fiber can be packed into columns and autoclaved before use.
6. Why is temperature important during nylon wool fractionation?
Cell adherence to nylon wool is temperature dependent. B-cell adherence is reduced at 20°C and 4°C compared with 37°C, so incubation temperature should be controlled according to the separation protocol.
7. Can the adherent cell fraction be recovered?
Yes. After the nonadherent fraction has been collected, adherent cells can be mechanically dislodged and eluted according to the procedure described in the Technical Data Sheet.
8. Does nylon wool separation produce a pure T-cell population?
Nylon wool is an enrichment method rather than an immunoaffinity purification method. The composition of the nonadherent fraction depends on the starting cell population and separation conditions and should be confirmed when defined cell purity is required.
9. Can nylon wool treatment affect T-cell function?
It can in some experimental systems. Published work has shown changes in T-cell proliferation, activation-marker expression, and cytokine production following nylon wool isolation. For functional assays, validate the isolation method under the conditions used in the study.
10. What package sizes are available?
Available in 10 g and 50 g packages. For larger quantities, use the bulk-quote option.
11. How should Nylon Wool Fiber be stored?
Store at room temperature in a cool, well-ventilated location.
Safety & Documentation
Use standard laboratory precautions and appropriate personal protective equipment during handling. Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), the Nylon Wool Fiber Technical Data Sheet for detailed separation procedures, and the Nylon Wool Fiber Product Guide for product formats and preparation information.
