Detection of Mouse Eosinophils in Tissue by Flow Cytometry and Isolation by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)

Flow cytometry is a critical tool that can be employed to detect unique cells and to isolate cells from tissues based on their antigen profiles. While mouse eosinophils can be readily detected by one or more distinct antigen profiles, many of these strategies do not result in accurate eosinophil counts. We present here our basic protocol, which permits quantitative detection of eosinophils and isolation of eosinophils from bone marrow, spleen, and lung tissue of allergen-challenged wild-type and unchallenged IL5 transgenic mice. With small protocol variations, eosinophils can be isolated from small intestines and muscle tissue, the latter from infiltrates characteristic of muscular dystrophy (mdx) mice.