Abstract: The invention provides a nonenzymic method for the release of cells which have been selected from a heterogeneous cell suspension by antibody-mediated binding to beads or other solid support. The method entails forming within the cell suspension a complex comprising the solid support linked to a primary monoclonal antibody, which in turn is bound to a cell surface antigen on the target cells. The complex is separated from the cell suspension, and then contacted with a specific peptide which binds to the primary antibody, displacing the antibody from the cell surface antigen, thereby releasing the target cell from the complex. The invention also provides methods for positive/negative cell selection wherein target cells having a first antigen are selected from a heterogeneous cell suspension containing undesired cells having a second antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-enzymatic method for the release of cells which have been positively selected from a heterogeneous cell suspension by antibody-mediated binding to beads or other solid support. The method entails forming within the cell suspension a complex comprising the solid support linked to a primary antibody, which in turn is specifically bound to a cell surface antigen on the target cells. The complex is separated from the cell suspension, and then contacted with a specific peptide which binds to the primary antibody, displacing the antibody from the cell surface antigen, thereby releasing the target cell from the complex. The invention also provides methods for positive/negative cell selection wherein target cells having a first antigen are selected from a heterogeneous cell suspension containing undesired cells having a second antigen.