Fixation and long-term storage of human lymphocytes for surface marker analysis by flow cytometry

A method to preserve stained human lymphocytes for subsequent cell surface analysis by flow cytometry (FCM) is described. Cells stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated monoclonal antibodies and then fixed in 1% paraformaldehyde, followed by extensive washing and resuspension in 1% BSA medium, could be stored at 4 degrees C for at least 2 weeks prior to FCM analysis without significant alteration in the light scatter or fluorescence properties of the cells. Furthermore, the method was also suitable for analyzing lymphocytes that express T-cell activation markers in certain disease conditions. In addition, we have identified monoclonal antibody combinations that discriminate different lymphocyte subsets that are satisfactory for multiparameter analysis after 2 weeks of storage. This method should prove useful for enumerating lymphocyte subsets in field study sites remote from flow cytometry laboratories.     

The induction of apoptosis by methotrexate in activated lymphocytes as indicated by fluorescence hyperpolarization: a possible model for predicting methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients

The objectives of this study were to test the in vitro response of healthy non-activated, activated, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lymphocytes to methotrexate (MTX), and design an in vitro model for predicting the efficiency of MTX treatment for RA patients. Considering the RA profile of clonal-expanded CD4(+) T cells, phytohemagglutinin-activated mononuclear cells taken from healthy donors were incubated with different concentrations of MTX. The MTX-immunosuppressive effect was tested by fluorescence intensity measurements, including PI assay and annexin V assay. For simple detection, we used the Individual Cell Scanner (IC-S), which enables the measurement of early events in individual cells. Healthy mononuclear cells (MNC), and MNC derived from RA patients, were tested by the IC-S while utilizing fluorescence polarization (FP) measurements of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) as an established marker of activation or suppression. In healthy activated MNC, we found that MTX, through its early incubation period, interferes with the activation signal obtained by PHA and exerts an apoptotic signal, which is noted by increases in the FP. Comparing our model to six long-standing RA patients and five newly-diagnosed patients revealed significant differences in the FP measurements, including fluorescence depolarization as an early established measurement of lymphocyte activation, and hyperpolarization as a measurement of an early immunosuppressive effect. We conclude that MTX, an effective therapy for RA patients, could easily be tested by fluorescence polarization measurements of FDA before (or during) clinical use in order to predict its efficiency on a specific RA patient. Moreover, the FP measurements can be used for the diagnosis, and making timing and dosage decisions.     

Detection by flow cytometry of protoplast fusion and transient expression of transferred heterologous CD4 sequences in COS-7 cells

Transfer and expression of a plasmid containing the gene encoding the human T-cell antigen CD4 by protoplast fusion was measured by flow cytometry (FCM). Protoplasts were prelabeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and fused to COS-7 cells. Nonspecific protoplast adsorption to the plasma membrane was differentiated from successful protoplast fusion by the addition of an antibody directed against fluorescein to quench extracellular protoplast fluorescence. Transfection efficiencies were defined as both percent CD4 expressing cells and CD4 expression levels on a single cell basis in the transient immunofluorescence assay. Cell sorting studies indicated that intracellular protoplast-associated fluorescence immediately after fusion exhibited a good correlation with transient CD4 transfection efficiencies as measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Reconstruction experiments comparing CD4 transfer efficiencies of protoplast fusion and calcium phosphate transfection showed that fusion resulted in a higher percentage of CD4 expressing transfectants, while calcium phosphate transfection yielded higher CD4 expression levels on a single cell basis. Thus, FCM appears to be useful as a new tool for sensitive detection of transient expression of heterologous reporter genes in COS-7 cells.     

Flow cytometric analysis of chronic and acute toxicity of copper(II) on the marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae.

BACKGROUND: Copper(II) is a heavy metal whose levels have increased in some marine ecosystems to polluting levels. Dinoflagellates, an important phytoplankton group, are at the base of aquatic food chains and bioaccumulation of copper by these microorganisms can result in complex ecosystem alterations, so we investigated how copper disturbs those cells. METHODS: Cytotoxic effects of sublethal and lethal copper concentrations ranging from 4.2 nM (control condition) to 3.13 microM estimated labile copper were studied in batch cultures of Amphidinium carterae. Cell morphology, motility, autofluorescence, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)-dependent fluorescence generation were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM) and microscopy. RESULTS: Exposure of A. carterae to toxic levels of copper impaired cell mobility, delayed cell proliferation, led to increased green autofluorescence, and at 3.13 microM labile copper also induced encystment and death. Chlorophyll fluorescence, however, was not affected. Kinetic FCM assay of FDA-dependent fluorescence generation showed a dose-dependent enhancement of fluorescein fluorescence immediately after copper addition and in cultures with sustained exposure to this toxicant. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that copper toxicity occurs quickly at the membrane level in relation to oxidative stress generation. Based on fluorescence kinetic studies, the Na(+)/H(+) antiporter seemed to be affected by copper, thereby affecting intracellular pH.     

激光共聚焦显微镜在肿瘤免疫治疗检测中的应用

目的:通过激光共聚焦显微镜对肿瘤生物治疗后患者的外周血淋巴细胞进行亚群计数,为生物治疗后外周血淋巴细胞无法分群的肿瘤患者提供新的监测免疫功能状态的方法。方法:收集35例肿瘤生物治疗后患者的外周血标本,通过激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪两种方法分别对患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群进行分类计数。结果:流式细胞仪和激光共聚焦显微镜同时分类计数的患者外周血细胞标本30例,两种方法在检测CD3、CD3~+/CD4~+、CD3~+/CD8~+、CD3-/CD16~+56~+、CD3-/CD19~+细胞时均无统计学差异(P值0.05);5例流式细胞仪无法将患者外周血淋巴细胞分群的样本,通过激光共聚焦显微镜可以进行分类计数。结论:激光共聚焦显微镜亦可以用于外周血淋巴细胞的分类计数。     

The optimal application of forward and ninety-degree light scatter in flow cytometry for the gating of mononuclear cells

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from ten normal donors were labeled with a monoclonal antibody specific for monocytes and analyzed using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Forward and 90 degrees light scatter parameters were studied in order to apply optimal computerized gating to identify and exclude monocytes from lymphocyte populations. An average of 9.45% versus 1.22% of cells, within chosen lymphocyte gates established by forward angle and 90 degrees scatter, respectively, were identified as monocytes. In samples from ten donors, the exclusion of monocytes from the lymphocyte population was more efficient using 90 degrees scatter than forward scatter. Simultaneous use of forward and 90 degrees scatter did not significantly improve the ability to accurately exclude monocytes, but did result in a significant increase in the improper exclusion of lymphocytes. Use of 90 degrees scatter alone, forward scatter alone, and forward and 90 degrees scatter simultaneously to identify lymphoid cells resulted in the exclusion of 12, 17, and 23% of lymphocytes from further analysis. The 90 degrees scatter alone appears to be the optimal method to eliminate monocytes electronically from mononuclear cell populations in which lymphocytes are being studied.     

Detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) by flow cytometry in leukemic disorders

We applied a new technique to the detection of intracellular TdT in 26 leukemic patients, including 16 non-T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), four T-ALL, one T-lymphoblastic lymphoma in leukemia phase, one undifferentiated leukemia, one de novo lymphoblastic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia, and three acute monocytic leukemias (AMOL). Mononuclear cell suspensions were incubated in saponin to permeabilize the cell membrane. The cells were then stained by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) using anti-human TdT monoclonal antibodies and were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The TdT results were compared with those obtained by biochemical TdT assay (26 cases), immunoperoxidase determination (PAP) (12 cases), and fluorescence microscopy (seven cases). The results obtained by PAP and fluorescence microscopy were 100% concordant with those obtained by FCM and biochemical assay. TdT determination by FCM allows the analysis of large numbers of cells in a fast, objective, and reliable manner, as compared with biochemical assay, PAP, and fluorescence microscopy determinations.     

Flow cytometric prescreening of cervical smears.

One-parameter (nuclear DNA) and two-parameter (nuclear DNA and protein or cellular light scatter) measurements of cervical smears were performed using an ICP 11 and a cytofluorograf 4800 respectively. A total of about 1000 cases was analyzed. For the estimation of nuclear DNA alone two fluorochromes were tested (ethidium bromide (EB) and mithramycin (MMC)) combined with three different methods of cell preparation. For the two-parameter measurements cells were double stained with EB and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). Red fluorescence (EB) versus green fluorescence (FITC) or red fluorescence versus scatter were recorded. A computer analysis of the one-parameter histograms was performed using discriminant analysis and the results were compared with the cytodiagnosis of microscopic specimens stained with the Papanicolaou technique. The error rates of the flow cytometric (FCM) data were as follows: (a) standard EB staining, 11% false negative, 26% false positive, 6% unsatisfactory results; (b) pepsination of vital cells and EB staining, 12% false negative, 14% false positive and 4% unsatisfactory results; (c) MMC staining, 10% false negative, 65% false positive and 5% unsatisfactory results. Our two-parameter measurements prove that, as confirmed by cell sorting, red fluorescence versus scatter allows separation of at least three subpopulations in most analyzed samples: (a) anucleated cells; (b) leukocytes; and (c) intermediate and superficial cells.     

Flow cytometry detection of caspase 3 activation in preapoptotic leukemic cells

BACKGROUND: Procaspase 3 is a constitutive proenzyme that is activated by cleavage during apoptosis. The resulting enzyme is able to cleave several target proteins after the second aspartate of a DEVD sequence common to all the substrates of caspases 3 and 7 (DEVDase). Because active caspase 3 is a common effector in several apoptotic pathways, it may be a good marker to detect (pre-)apoptotic cells by flow cytometry (FCM). Materials and Methods Apoptosis was induced in U937 or bone marrow mononuclear cells by daunorubicin (DNR), idarubicin (IDA), or camptothecin (CAM). Viable and apoptotic cells were sorted by FCM on the basis of either fluorescein isothiocyante (FITC)-annexin V binding or DiOC6(3) accumulation. DEVDase activity was measured in sorted populations by spectrofluorometry. Cleaved caspase 3 was labeled in situ with phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-activated caspase 3 antibodies and analyzed by FCM. RESULTS: DEVDase activity was detected in sorted viable CAM- and DNR-treated U937 cells, demonstrating that a partial caspase activation occurred earlier than phosphatidyl-serine exposure and mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation. The presence of a low amount of active caspase 3 in the treated viable cells was confirmed in situ with PE-conjugated anti-active caspase 3 antibodies. The same antibody was used in combination with FITC-annexin V and CD45-PC5 to study caspase 3 activation in acute leukemia blast cells after in vitro DNR and IDA treatment. Both anthracyclines induced a caspase 3-dependent apoptosis that was more efficient in blast cells than in contaminating lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that anti-active caspase 3 labeling can be an alternative to fluorogenic substrates to efficiently detect early apoptosis by FCM in heterogeneous samples. They also confirm that anthracyclines induce blast cell apoptosis by a caspase 3-dependent pathway.     

Labeling of BSA and imaging of mouse T‐lymphocyte as well as mouse spleen tissue by l‐glutathione capped CdTe quantum dots

l ‐glutathione capped highly fluorescent CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by an aqueous approach and used as fluorescent labels to link albumin bovine serum (BSA) and rat anti‐mouse CD4, which was expressed on mouse T‐lymphocyte and mouse spleen tissue. The sharp and narrow emission peaks showed that the as‐prepared QDs have desirable dispersibility, uniformity and good fluorescence properties. Both CdTe–BSA and CdTe–CD4 conjugates showed an enhancement of fluorescence intensity over that of bare CdTe QDs. The experimental result of gel electrophoresis confirmed the successful conjugation of CdTe–BSA and CdTe–CD4. The fluorescent microscopic images of CdTe–CD4 labeled mouse T‐lymphocyte cells and mouse spleen tissue were compared with that obtained from fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling. It was demonstrated that the CdTe QDs‐based probe exhibited much better photostability and fluorescence intensity than fluorescein isothiocyanate, showing a good application potential in the immuno‐labeling of cells and tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of CD36 expression on human monocytic cells and atherosclerotic tissue sections with quantum dots: investigation by flow cytometry and spectral imaging microscopy

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate CD36 expression with quantum dots (QDs) 525 and/or 605 on human monocytic U937 cells and atherosclerotic tissue sections by means of flow cytometry (FCM) and/or confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). STUDY DESIGN: U937 cells and tissue sections were analyzed by means of FCM and/or CLSM. FCM was performed, using different ultraviolet (UV) and visible (488/532 nm) excitation modes. In the visible mode, fluorescence intensities of QDs, phycoerythrin (PE) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were compared. Three-dimensional (3-D) sequences of images were obtained by spectral analysis in a CLSM and analyzed by the factor analysis of medical image sequences (FAMIS) algorithm, providing factor curves and images. Factor images are the result of the FAMIS image processing method, which differentiates emission spectra from 3D sequences of images. In CLSM analysis, preparations are screened in a UV excitation mode to optimize the possibilities of QDs and have the benefit of 4',6-diamino-2-phenylindole or Hoechst 33342 counterstaining of nuclei. RESULTS: FCM and CLSM revealed CD36 expression by means of QDs 525 and/or 605. Fluorescence intensity of PE and of FITC was higher than that of QDs 525 and of 605. As factor curves and images show the red emission of QDs 605 only, subsequent reliable identification and localization of CD36 was obtained. CONCLUSION: QDs 525 and 605 are useful to analyze antigenic expression. Following FCM, which is well adapted to detect fluorescence emission of QDs in the UV or visible excitation mode, CLSM and subsequent spectral analysis assess more specific characterization of QD fluorescent emissions.     

Detection of acid-beta-galactosidase activity in viable human fibroblasts by flow cytometry

The fluorogenic substrate fluorescein-di-beta-D-galactopyranoside was used to detect acid beta-galactosidase in intact cultured human fibroblasts. The accumulation of intracellular fluorescein, as measured by flow cytophotometry was linear with the incubation time in three control strains. The two fibroblast strains from patients with acid beta-galactosidase deficiency did not show an accumulation of intracellular fluorescence. Within one control cell population there was a positive correlation between the amount of accumulated intracellular fluorescein fluorescence and the specific acid beta-galactosidase activity as measured biochemically on sorted cells from different zones of the fluorescence distribution. No correlation was found between the specific acid beta-galactosidase activity and the fluorescein fluorescence of three different control cell strains.     

Automated four-color analysis of leukocytes by scanning fluorescence microscopy using quantum dots.

BACKGROUND: Scanning fluorescence microscope (SFM) is a new technique for automated motorized microscopes to measure multiple fluorochrome labeled cells (Bocsi et al., Cytometry A 2004, 61:1-8). AIMS: We developed a four-color staining protocol (DNA, CD3, CD4, and CD8) for the lymphocyte phenotyping by SFM. METHODS: Organic (Alexa488, FITC, PE-Alexa610, CyChrom, APC) and inorganic (quantum dot (QD) 605 or 655) fluorochromes were used and compared in different combinations. Measurements were performed in suspension by flow cytometer (FCM) and on slide by SFM. RESULTS: Both QDs were detectable by the appropriate Axioplan-2 and FCM filters and the AxioCam BW-camera. CD4/CD8 ratios were highly correlated (P = 0.01) between the SFM and FCM. CONCLUSION: Automated SFM is an applicable tool for CD4/CD8 ratio determination in peripheral blood samples with QDs.     

沙眼衣原体感染HeLa229细胞Bim表达及抑制凋亡研究

研究沙眼衣原体(D血清型)感染的HeLa229细胞中Bim蛋白质的表达及凋亡诱导剂作用后的凋亡情况。Western-blot检测沙眼衣原体感染和未感染的HeLa229细胞Bim蛋白质的表达水平。凋亡诱导剂etopo- side作用HeLa229细胞后,经Hoechst33258染色用荧光显微镜观察核浓缩和凋亡小体;流式细胞仪检测凋亡率。HeLa229细胞在未感染及感染沙眼衣原体6 h后可检测到Bim的表达;在感染24、48 h后均未检测到Bim的表达。经etoposide作用后,未感染的HeLa229细胞观察到明显的核浓缩和凋亡小体;流式细胞仪检测的凋亡率为90.64%。感染24 h的HeLa229细胞,未观察到核浓缩和凋亡小体;流式细胞仪检测的凋亡率为11.50%,与未感染的HeLa229细胞诱导后的凋亡率比较有统计学意义(P<0.05)。沙眼衣原体感染HeLa229细胞后可降低Bim蛋白质的表达;并能抑制etoposide诱导的细胞凋亡。     

流式细胞术检测外周血淋巴细胞诊断淋巴瘤的应用研究

目的:探讨流式细胞术(FCM)检测外周血淋巴细胞在淋巴瘤诊断中的应用价值。方法:通过筛选2011年8月至2017年8月期间初诊的皮肤淋巴瘤病例25例,淋巴节良性病变6例,采用FCM检测外周血淋巴细胞表面抗原分子,通过与病理切片HE染色和免疫组化法(金标准)比较,分析两种检测方法之间的差异。结果:在31例检测病例中,FCM检测结果与金标准检测结果一致性较高(Kappa=0.61):26例检查结果相同,5例检查结果不一致;检测19例T淋巴细胞淋巴瘤,FCM检测结果与金标准检测结果一致性也较高(Kappa=0.57):检测14例初诊为T细胞淋巴瘤病例,FCM检测T淋巴瘤细胞的表面抗原标志CD3分子为阳性,与组织学结果相符,另有5例T细胞淋巴瘤病例HE染色和免疫组化诊断明确,而FCM未能检出。检测6例B细胞淋巴瘤病例,6例淋巴瘤病例FCM检测结果都为阳性,FCM检测B淋巴瘤细胞的表面抗原标志CD19分子为阳性,与金标准检测结果符合率为100%。6例淋巴节良性病变病例FCM检测结果与金标准检测结果一致。结论:通过FCM检测外周血可以检测出部分皮肤淋巴瘤,FCM在皮肤淋巴瘤诊断和分型中有一定的临床价值,是检测皮肤淋巴瘤的有效的辅助方法。     

DNA analysis of stimulated lymphocytes by automatic sampling for flow cytometry

A microsample delivery system (MSDS) was tested for automatic flow cytometry (FCM) analysis of DNA synthesis in stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) cultivated in wells of microtiter plates. After incubation, either for 1-3 days with phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen, or for 7 days with allogenic PBL, the cells, while in the wells, were washed in hypotonic Tris buffer and stained with ethidium bromide-RNAse solution. The results obtained from quintuplicate replicated wells, each of the five containing the same control or stimulated cultures, were reproducible in terms of the number of nuclei counted in each histogram of control, mitogen-stimulated PBL, and mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). Using a computer program that superimposes histograms and calculates their differences on the scale of fluorescence intensity, it was possible to quantify the intensity of the response to the mitogenic stimuli. This approach to the study of lymphocyte proliferation offers not only a simpler and faster analysis of DNA synthesis than the method of 3H-thymidine incorporation, but it also allows for the analysis of other FCM parameters, such as forward and 90 degrees light scatter and double fluorescence labelling of PBL nuclei.     

Increased growth yields of Mycoplasma spp. in the presence of pyruvate

Viable and non-viable African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells after treatment with Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) followed by simultaneous double staining with fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI) were counted with a flow cytometer (FCM). Within 1 min the FCM analysed 10 000 Vero cells in a sample for viability. After treatment of Vero cells with CPE for 60 min and staining with FDA-PI for 5 min, a reproducible dose-response curve was obtained between 25 and 400 ng/ml of CPE and percentage viable cell numbers. The FCM analysis proved to be a strong tool for rapid discrimination between viable and non-viable Vero cells treated with CPE in a large number of samples at a time.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of peritoneal fluids from women with gynecologic diseases. Comparison of cytology and flow cytometry for the detection of malignancy in lavage and ascitic fluids

A prospective study was undertaken to compare flow cytometric (FCM) analysis to conventional cytologic evaluation for the detection of malignant cells in peritoneal fluids (peritoneal lavages and ascitic fluids) from women with gynecologic diseases. The 94 peritoneal fluids analyzed came from 63 cancer patients (with epithelial ovarian carcinomas) and 31 control patients (with benign gynecologic diseases). The FCM DNA histograms were generated using propidium iodide as a DNA fluorochrome. Samples for cytologic analysis were stained with the standard May-Grünwald-Giemsa or Papanicolaou stains. Of the 94 samples, 90 were evaluable cytologically while 70 were suitable for FCM analysis. The sensitivities were 55% for FCM DNA analysis and 80% for cytologic analysis. FCM DNA analysis had a 30% false-positive rate; cytologic analysis produced no false-positive results. These results indicate that there is no advantage in employing FCM analysis instead of conventional cytologic evaluation for the detection of malignant cells in peritoneal fluids from gynecologic cases.     

白介素-35对哮喘患者外周血单个核细胞糖皮质激素抵抗的作用及机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨白介素（IL）-35对哮喘患者外周血单个核细胞糖皮质激素抵抗的作用及机制。方法：选择2017年8月至2018年11月于徐州医科大学附属医院和滨海县人民医院确诊的哮喘患者54例,其中20例为激素抵抗型患者（SR组）,34例为激素敏感型患者（SS组）。采用Luminex200液相芯片法检测哮喘患者外周血IL-35的水平;体外分离培养两组患者外周血单个核细胞：通过检测细胞培养上清IL-6的水平确定地塞米松（DEX）对单个核细胞的半抑制浓度及最大抑制率;流式细胞术检测单个核细胞内磷酸化-P38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p-p38 MAPK）平均荧光强度及表达p-p38 MAPK单个核细胞率。结果：SR组患者外周血IL-35水平显著低于SS组（P<0.05）;与SS组比较,SR组DEX半抑制浓度显著升高而最大抑制率显著降低,且单个核细胞内p-p38 MAPK平均荧光强度显著升高（P<0.05）;哮喘患者外周血清IL-35水平与DEX半抑制浓度和外周血单个核细胞内p-p38 MAPK荧光强度呈负相关(r=-0.351, r=-0.352,P<0.001),与最大抑制率呈正相关(r=0.450, P<0.001);SS组：与IL-35+脂多糖（LPS）组比较,IL-35+DEX+LPS组表达p-p38 MAPK 单个核细胞率显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;SR组：IL-35+DEX+LPS组表达p-p38 MAPK 单个核细胞率无显著变化,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：IL-35能够减轻哮喘患者糖皮质激素抵抗,其机制可能是通过抑制单个核细胞内p-p38 MAPK的表达。