Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access
ISSN: 0974-276X
ISSN: 0974-276X
Sabine Baumgart
German Rheumatism Research Centre, Germany
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Proteomics Bioinform
Single-cell mass cytometry is a promising technology for a multiparametric analysis of individual cells in heterogenous biological samples such as blood, bone marrow or biopsy samples. The technology is based on atomic mass spectrometry detection but the read out is similar to flow cytometry. Cells are specifically labeled with metal-isotope tags attached to antibodies instead of fluorophores used in traditional flow cytometry approach. Fixed cells are introduced into plasma region of a mass cytometer (CyTOFTM). Metalisotopes are atomized, ionized and separated in the time-of-flight mass analyzer before detection. Currently, the overall restricted number of antibodies being used in one panel in the traditional flow cytometry approach hampers the optimal immunophenotyping characterization. This becomes more critical in well invested studies finding biomarkers for the diagnosis of certain diseases and if the number of cells in clinical samples is restricted. Mass cytometry technology overcomes this limitation and can routinely detect about 40 markers per individual sample with minimal signal overlap common to atomic mass spectroscopy. Mass cytometry enables comprehensive profiling of cellular phenotype, signaling state and cytokine expression with the ability to measure simultaneously over 100 markers. The aim of the present study was to develop a 29 marker panel for the analysis of major and minor leukocyte populations including their differentiation-dependent subsets and appropriate activation marker molecules in whole blood samples depleted for erythrocytes. It will be used for a comprehensive immunophenotyping of human blood samples to monitor immune responses in rheumatic patients treated with anti-inflammatory biological and other autoimmune diseases.
Email: Sabine.Baumgart@drfz.de