title: The use of wavelength modulated Raman spectroscopy in label-free identification of T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer cells and dendritic cells.
abstract: Determining the identity of cells of the immune system usually involves destructive fixation and chemical staining, or labeling with fluorescently labeled antibodies recognising specific cell surface markers. Completely label-free identification would be a significant advantage in conditions where untouched cells are a priority. We demonstrate here the use of Wavelength Modulated Raman Spectroscopy, to achieve label-free identification of purified, unfixed and untouched populations of major immune cell subsets isolated from healthy human donors. Using this technique we have been able to distinguish between CD4(+) T lymphocytes, CD8(+) T lymphocytes and CD56(+) Natural Killer cells at specificities of up to 96%. Additionally, we have been able to distinguish between CD303(+) plasmacytoid and CD1c(+) myeloid dendritic cell subsets, the key initiator and regulatory cells of many immune responses. This demonstrates the ability to identify unperturbed cells of the immune system, and opens novel opportunities to analyse immunological systems and to develop fully label-free diagnostic technologies.
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mingzhou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McReynolds
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elaine C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazilu
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Engenharia Biomedica, 4150-180, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kishan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dholakia
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Powis
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology*