Preparation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a model for proteomic studies of psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been used as a surrogate model of brain function in studies of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. This chapter describes the preparation of PBMCs from whole blood using a density gradient/cell culture protocol. This includes collection of the PBMC culture media and preparation of cell extracts in order to provide the raw materials for proteomic analyses.