a chemical conjugate of acetylated human low density lipoprotein
and the ribosome-inactivating protein, saporin
targets cells expressing rat microglia

Acetylated-LDL-Saporin (acLDL-SAP) has been used effectively to eliminate microglia from primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons, while having no deleterious effect on neurons or astroglia. After 24 hours exposure, 3 µg/ml of acetylated-LDL-SAP selectively kills more than 90% of microglia cells.

Elimination of Specific Cell Type

• Scavenger receptor-positive cells are eliminated with this reagent. This includes the macrophage and its relative, the microglia.
• All other cells are left untouched.
• Excellent for removing contaminating macrophages from primary cultures.
• Not suitable for retrograde transport.

Effective Tool to Study Disease States

• Elimination of macrophages and/or microglia is useful to determine their role(s) in autoimmune diseases and in degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.