Very early detection of changes associated with cellular activation using a modified flow cytometer

Functional effects of eotaxin are selectively upregulated on IL-5 transgenic mouse eosinophils

Synergistic interactions between cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules may facilitate the selective recruitment of eosinophils into sites of allergic inflammation. Ovalbumin-sensitized IL5TG mice responded to antigen challenge with robust airway eosinophilia 24 and 72 hr post-exposure. Adhesion molecule expression and functional responsiveness of immune cells derived from IL5TG mice to various inflammatory mediators were evaluated. IL5TG-derived eosinophils, but not neutrophils, expressed higher levels of CD49d and CD11b relative to WT. Functional responsiveness to eotaxin was increased in IL5TG eosinophils as demonstrated by a 10x increase in its potency in producing actin polymerization and 3x increase in CD11b upregulation relative to WT. These data are consistent with increased CCR3 expression on IL5TG eosinophils. Responsiveness of eosinophils to LTB4 or MIP-1alpha was similar between WT and IL-5TG mice. These data provide evidence of synergy between eosinophil-specific cytokines and chemokines that may promote accumulation of this cell type under conditions of allergic inflammation in vivo.

Dynamic thermoregulation of the sample in flow cytometry

Fine control of temperature is an important capability for any analytical platform. A circulating water bath has been the traditional means of maintaining constant temperature in the sample chamber of a flow cytometer, but this approach does not permit rapid changes in sample temperature. This unit explains the use of Peltier modules for regulation of sample temperature. The heat pumping generated by the passage of current through properly matched semiconductors, known as the Peltier effect, makes it possible for these thermoelectric modules to both heat and cool. The authors describe the construction of a Peltier module based thermoregulation unit in step-by-step detail and present a demonstration of flow cytometry measurements as a function of temperature.

Current status of flow cytometry in cell and molecular biology

This review summarizes recent developments in flow cytometry (FC). It gives an overview of techniques currently available, in terms of apparatus and sample handling, a guide to evaluating applications, an overview of dyes and staining methods, an introduction to internet resources, and a broad listing of classic references and reviews in various fields of interest, as well as some recent interesting articles.

A dynamic inline sample thermoregulation unit for flow cytometry

BACKGROUND

Flow cytometry is a valuable tool for the study of cellular and molecular interactions. We sought to develop instrumentation that would allow accurate and precise inline dynamic temperature control of flow cytometry samples in order to expand the analytical capabilities of flow cytometry.

METHODS

Using a temperature controller, DC power supply, and a Peltier module, we designed a temperature control circuit that regulates the temperature of a heat transfer block. The heat transfer block surrounds the sample line to efficiently heat and cool the sample. We attached DNA oligomers to microspheres and observed the denaturation of fluorescently labeled complementary oligomers to verify that the sample was achieving the desired temperature.

RESULTS

The inline thermoregulation unit can ramp between 30 and 95 degrees C (>2 degrees C per second) within 30 s repeatedly. The accuracy of the instrument was verified by comparing the observed melting temperatures of the oligomer sets to the predicted values. These values varied within 6% of the predicted and were reproducible over a variety of conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The apparatus we constructed accurately and dynamically controls the sample temperature of inline samples. Flow cytometers equipped with our inline thermoregulation unit will be able to conveniently use temperature as a robust experimental parameter.

The use of flow cytometry to measure neutrophil function

Neutrophils are important professional phagocytic cells that provide the host with a first line of defense against acute bacterial and fungal diseases and recurrent, severe or unusual infections are associated with inherited defects of neutrophil function. Furthermore, abundant evidence links inappropriate neutrophil-mediated tissue damage to the pathogenesis of conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, septicemia with multiorgan failure, ischemia-reperfusion injury and rheumatoid arthritis. Flow cytometry has been increasingly used to evaluate the functional capabilities of neutrophils. In this review, we discuss the use of flow cytometry to assess neutrophil functional responses including calcium mobilization, F-actin assembly, adhesion, aggregation, degranulation, phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The use of flow cytometry to identify neutrophil priming is also discussed. The advantage of flow cytometry is that the majority of neutrophil functions can be measured using a small volume of whole blood that reduces artifactual changes in function caused by purification procedures. The advent of numerous new fluorochromes and multiparametric analysis allows the simultaneous measurement of several neutrophil functions in the same population of cells. Flow cytometric analysis provides a rapid screen for abnormalities of neutrophil function and reflects more accurately their behavior in vivo.

Measurement of intracellular calcium

To a certain extent, all cellular, physiological, and pathological phenomena that occur in cells are accompanied by ionic changes. The development of techniques allowing the measurement of such ion activities has contributed substantially to our understanding of normal and abnormal cellular function. Digital video microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and more recently multiphoton microscopy have allowed the precise spatial analysis of intracellular ion activity at the subcellular level in addition to measurement of its concentration. It is well known that Ca2+ regulates numerous physiological cellular phenomena as a second messenger as well as triggering pathological events such as cell injury and death. A number of methods have been developed to measure intracellular Ca2+. In this review, we summarize the advantages and pitfalls of a variety of Ca2+ indicators used in both optical and nonoptical techniques employed for measuring intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Fast kinetic measurements and on-line dilution by flow injection cytometry

An improved flow injection cytometry (FIC) system suitable for fast cellular kinetic measurements and on-line dilution is described. The instrument allows for measurements from 1.2 s (+/- 0.05 s) after the initiation of mixing, up to any time thereafter. Crucial factors in determining fast kinetic measurements, such as the displacement volume for sample introduction, rate of transport to cytometric interrogation point, and the mixing speed are evaluated and discussed. By varying the volume aspirated, this instrument can facilitate the dilution of cells and/or reagent over a range of one order of magnitude. The fast kinetic and on-line dilution capabilities were demonstrated by on-line staining of DNA in trout erythrocytes with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). The utility of the instrument for measurement of enzyme kinetics was illustrated using human lymphocytes, measuring the glutathione S-transferase (GST) catalyzed reaction between monochlorobimane (MCB) and glutathione (GSH).

Changes in intracellular free calcium during hyperthermia: effects of local anesthetics and induction of thermotolerance

We wished to determine if local anesthetics (LAs) induced changes in intracellular free calcium ([fCa2+i]) that could have an effect on cell killing by hyperthermia. Flow cytometry was used to measure [fCa2+i] of mouse NIH 3T3 cells during heating at 45.5 degrees C. In both non-tolerant and thermotolerant cells, heating caused a rapid increase (within 1 min) in [fCa2+i] of approximately 100 nM, which remained relatively constant during 25 min of continued heating; however, survival was higher in thermotolerant cells. Procaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine had no effect on survival or [fCa2+i] of cells kept at 37 degrees C up to 25 min. Cells heated with procaine and lidocaine showed no difference in [fCa2+i] compared to cells heated without LAs but were greatly sensitized to killing. Cells heated with tetracaine became permeable to trypan blue within 10-15 min of heating. We conclude that heat sensitization by LAs does not involve changes in [fCa2+i]. Furthermore, these studies reject the hypothesis that changes in [fCa2+i] are involved in heat-induced cell killing.

Flow injection cytometry: a new approach for sample and solution handling in flow cytometry

A prototype instrument for sample and solution handling in flow cytometry has been constructed. The system is modular and allows the control of any combination of up to 4 pumps, 2 selection valves, and 2 injection valves. These devices are controlled by a computer using TTL-logic. The flow injection instrument is interfaced to the flow cytometer via a 6-port injection valve, thereby facilitating virtually any flow pattern to be implemented without affecting the fluidics of the cytometer. Salient features of the instrument are accurate control of the volume of injected sample and reagent, reproducible timing, and controlled mixing conditions. Results from model experiments of on-line staining of trout erythrocytes with different concentrations of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and propidium iodide (PI) are shown. Possible ways to improve the performance and utility of the instrument are also discussed.