Performance of spectral flow cytometry and mass cytometry for the study of innate myeloid cell populations.

Introduction: Monitoring of innate myeloid cells (IMC) is broadly applied in basic and translational research, as well as in diagnostic patient care. Due to their immunophenotypic heterogeneity and biological plasticity, analysis of IMC populations typically requires large panels of markers. Currently, two cytometry-based techniques allow for the simultaneous detection of ≥40 markers: spectral flow cytometry (SFC) and mass cytometry (MC).

Quantitative proteomics of small numbers of closely-related cells: Selection of the optimal method for a clinical setting.

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics profiling has undoubtedly increased the knowledge about cellular processes and functions. However, its applicability for paucicellular sample analyses is currently limited. Although new approaches have been developed for single-cell studies, most of them have not (yet) been standardized and/or require highly specific (often home-built) devices, thereby limiting their broad implementation, particularly in non-specialized settings.

IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on human melanocytes is impaired in vitiligo.

Mounting evidence shows that the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is involved in tumor immune evasion. This is demonstrated by anti-PD-1 antibodies that can reverse tumor-associated PD-L1 to functionally suppress anti-tumor T-cell responses. Since type I and II interferons are key regulators of PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells and IFN-γ-producing CD8 T cells and IFN-α-producing dendritic cells are abundant in vitiligo skin, we aimed to study the role of PD-1/PD-L1 signalling in melanocyte destruction in vitiligo.

Proteomics for Low Cell Numbers: How to Optimize the Sample Preparation Workflow for Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

Nowadays, massive genomics and transcriptomics data can be generated at the single-cell level. However, proteomics in this setting is still a big challenge. Despite the great improvements in sensitivity and performance of mass spectrometry instruments and the better knowledge on sample preparation processing, it is widely acknowledged that multistep proteomics workflows may lead to substantial sample loss, especially when working with paucicellular samples.