A Rapid Method for the Isolation of Glomeruli from the Human Kidney

Abstract

Uniformly decapsulated glomeruli were obtained from human kidney in less than 20 minutes. The kidney was perfused with cold isotonic saline solution. After removal of the medulla the cortex was cut into small fragments and forced through an 80-mesh stainless steel sieve. The cortical mash on the bottom surface of the sieve was then collected and suspended in 50 ml. cold saline solution. The cortical suspension was poured onto a 120-mesh wire cloth resting 10 cm. above a 200-mesh sieve. Each sieve was washed with 200 ml. saline solution. The material on top of the 200-mesh sieve, containing a pure preparation of glomeruli, was collected and centrifuged at 1,060 × g. for 3 min. The wet glomerular pellet was then buttered through a clean 200-mesh sieve and washed with 10 ml. saline solution. The emerging suspension contained uniformly decapsulated glomeruli with minimal glomerular disintegration. The suspension was centrifuged at 1,060 × g. for 2 min., the supernatant decanted and the residue lyophilized. The glomerular pellet, obtained from one human kidney, weighed 10 ± 3.0 mg.