Flow cytometric sorting of human epidermal pure basal cell suspensions using a specific antikeratin monoclonal antibody.

A method is described for flow cytometric sorting of epidermal basal cells, based on the cellular keratin content. KL1, a monoclonal antikeratin antibody specific for the 56.5 kD polypeptide present in suprabasal cells was used to distinguish suprabasal from basal cells. After the action of Triton X-100, epidermal cells were stained in suspensions with KL1 antibody, and KL1-positive cells were separated by flow cytometry from KL1-negative cells (basal cells). This makes it possible to sort and analyze pure fractions of human epidermal basal cells since no less than 99% of the KL1 sorted cells were bearing bullous pemphigoid antigen. Therefore, the use of specific antibodies to cytoplasmic antigens can be of help in sorting pure fractions of cells of a particular tissue for further studies.