Separation of isolated hamster intestinal epithelial cells by velocity sedimentation on Ficoll gradients

Isolated hamster intestinal epithelial cells can be separated by velocity sedimentationion on 2–10% Ficoll gradients into three subpopulations of cells which differ in morphology, biochemistry, physiology, and membrane components. These subpopulations are not pure but are enriched in a single cell type to the extent that differences in cell function can be observed. The proliferative crypt cells are separated from the digestive‐absorptive villus cells. A third subpopulation with a distinctive morphology is also obtained. Quantitation of DNA recoveries from the gradients indicates that this population constitutes approximately one‐third of the epithelial cell population. These carrot‐shaped cells are found adjacent to the digestive‐absorptive columnar epithelial cells on the villus. The two types of villus cells differ in glycolipid or glycoprotein components of the brush border as shown by lectin binding experiments with the isolated cells. The gradient data also suggest that only one‐third of the intestinal epithelial cell population is responsible for most monosaccharide absorption in hamster small intestine.