Per-channel basis normalization methods for flow cytometry data.
Between-sample variation in high-throughput flow cytometry data poses a significant challenge for analysis of large-scale data sets, such as those derived from multicenter clinical trials. It is often hard to match biologically relevant cell populations across samples because of technical variation in sample acquisition and instrumentation differences. Thus, normalization of data is a critical step before analysis, particularly in large-scale data sets from clinical trials, where group-specific differences may be subtle and patient-to-patient variation common. We have developed two normalization methods that remove technical between-sample variation by aligning prominent features (landmarks) in the raw data on a per-channel basis. These algorithms were tested on two independent flow cytometry data sets by comparing manually gated data, either individually for each sample or using static gating templates, before and after normalization. Our results show a marked improvement in the overlap between manual and static gating when the data are normalized, thereby facilitating the use of automated analyses on large flow cytometry data sets. Such automated analyses are essential for high-throughput flow cytometry.
Hahne
Florian
F
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Khodabakhshi
Alireza Hadj
AH
Bashashati
Ali
A
Wong
Chao-Jen
CJ
Gascoyne
Randy D
RD
Weng
Andrew P
AP
Seyfert-Margolis
Vicky
V
Bourcier
Katarzyna
K
Asare
Adam
A
Lumley
Thomas
T
Gentleman
Robert
R
Brinkman
Ryan R
RR
D000465:Algorithms; D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens