Automated, Point-of-Care mobile flow cytometry: Bringing the laboratory to the sample

B. N. Jukema*, T. C. Pelgrim, M. Spoelder, C. C.W.G. Bongers, M. T.E. Hopman, K. Smit, M. H. Rijk, R. P. Venekamp, N. Vrisekoop, L. Koenderman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background: Innate effector cells are very responsive to infectious and inflammatory cues found in damaged and inflamed tissues. Their activation is a potential target to assess the state of the immune system. Unfortunately, these cells are very susceptible for ex-vivo activation, hampering accurate interpretation of flow cytometry data. Whether a brief window exists before ex-vivo activation starts to occur is currently unknown. Aims: 1) This study extensively investigated ex-vivo activation of innate effector cells over time. 2) We tested the feasibility of applying a mobile, automated, flow cytometry laboratory for out-of-hospital Point-of-Care analyses to minimize ex-vivo activation bias. Methods: 1) Ex-vivo neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte activation in a blood collection tube over time and the reactivity to a formyl-peptide was investigated in a healthy cohort. 2) To facilitate fast, out-of-hospital analysis, application of the mobile flow cytometry was tested by placing an automated flow cytometer into a van. The stability of the setup was assessed by repetitively measuring laser alignment and fluorescence verification beads. Findings: 1) Immediately after venipuncture activation marker expression on neutrophils, eosinophils and monocyte subsets started to change in a time-dependent manner. 2) The mobile flow cytometry laboratory travelled over 3000 km, performing measurements at 19 locations with a median single-person-set-up time of 14 min. The laser alignment and fluorescence were stable during all experiments. Conclusions: Accurate flow data of innate immune cells are only obtained when ex-vivo activation is kept to minimum. The use of a mobile, fast, automated, flow cytometry laboratory for out-of-hospital Point-of-Care analyses provides new investigational and diagnostic possibilities outside major hospital flow cytometry laboratories.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere28883
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalHeliyon
Volume10
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2024

Keywords

  • Eosinophil
  • First line care
  • Innate immune activation
  • Mobile flow cytometry
  • Monocyte
  • Monocyte subsets
  • Near patient
  • Neutrophil
  • Point-of-Care
  • Systemic inflammation

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