Patent ID: 8163470

Claim:
A method for preparing leukocyte analogs from animal red blood cells, comprising the steps of: (1) selecting red blood cells derived from suitable species based on different leukocyte subpopulations to be simulated; (2) adjusting the properties of the red blood cells while maintaining the structural integrity of the red blood cells by treating them with a reagent system comprising the following components: (i) a morphology adjusting component, comprising an erythrocyte sphering agent comprising a surfactant as an active ingredient and optionally a weak acid, wherein the concentration of the surfactant is such that it does not disrupt the red blood cells and does not lead to leakage of hemoglobin out of the cells, (ii) an inclusion adjusting component, which is a hemoglobin oxidizing agent or reducing agent, (iii) a volume adjusting component, which is an osmotic regulator for fine adjustment of osmolality, and (iv) a cell membrane strengthening component, which is an organic aldehyde; (3) fixing the treated red blood cells after adjusting the properties so that they are resistant to the action of a hemolytic agent; and (4) washing, concentrating and preserving the fixed red blood cells, wherein the fixed red blood cells are prepared leukocyte analogs.