Protocol for multi-organ isolation of murine leukocytes for flow cytometry

The immune system comprises several specialized cells across multiple organs. Here, we present a protocol for the isolation of leukocytes from murine blood, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. We describe steps for cell isolation and gradient density separation and provide four antibody panels to identify adaptive immune cells (e.g., CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell subsets) by flow cytometry. This protocol provides a basic framework for phenotyping immune cells from in vivo mouse models.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
STAR Protocols
Published
2026-01-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2025.104318
Primary Topic
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Protocol for multi-organ isolation of murine leukocytes for flow cytometry

Asher A. Mendelson, David Sontag, Janilyn Arsenio, Paul Layug et al.
STAR Protocols
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
article

Protocol for multi-organ isolation of murine leukocytes for flow cytometry

Asher A. Mendelson, David Sontag, Janilyn Arsenio, Paul Layug, Agata Marcinow
article en

Abstract

The immune system comprises several specialized cells across multiple organs. Here, we present a protocol for the isolation of leukocytes from murine blood, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle. We describe steps for cell isolation and gradient density separation and provide four antibody panels to identify adaptive immune cells (e.g., CD4<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell subsets) by flow cytometry. This protocol provides a basic framework for phenotyping immune cells from in vivo mouse models.

STAR ProtocolsVol. 7(1)
Research Manitoba (CA), University of Manitoba (CA)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 95%
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.