A number of density gradient strategies have been developed for the fractionation of human erythrocytes according to their age. As the cells age, so their density tends to increase; reticulocytes therefore tend to have the lowest densities. Reticulocytes have frequently been partially purified on discontinuous gradients of arabinogalactan; the actual density range being quite varied, from quite broad ones.

Protocol: Fractionation of Human Erythrocytes (Normal or Sickle) and Reticulocytes in Discontinuous Iodixanol