Autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy is sensitive to functional or treatment-induced metabolic changes in single cells. However, this label-free technique typically relies on laser-scanning microscopes that are not common for single-cell assessments in immunology. Here, we present a microfluidic lifetime-sensitive flow cytometer that measures time-domain decays of the metabolic co-enzyme NAD(P)H from single cells with picosecond temporal resolution using time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) at a throughput of tens of cells per second. The system uses a picosecond-pulsed ultraviolet diode laser, alkali photomultiplier tubes, an FPGA-based time tagger, and provides real-time phasor-based classification (i.e., gating) of flowing cells for applications in immunology.
SignificanceAdvancements in label-free microscopy could provide real-time, non-invasive imaging with unique sources of contrast and automated standardized analysis to characterize heterogeneous and dynamic biological processes. These tools would overcome challenges with widely used methods that are destructive (e.g., histology, flow cytometry) or lack cellular resolution (e.g., plate-based assays, whole animal bioluminescence imaging).AimThis perspective aims to (1) justify the need for label-free microscopy to track heterogeneous cellular functions over time and space within unperturbed systems and (2) recommend improvements regarding instrumentation, image analysis, and image interpretation to address these needs.ApproachThree key research areas (cancer research, autoimmune disease, and tissue and cell engineering) are considered to support the need for label-free microscopy to characterize heterogeneity and dynamics within biological systems. Based on the strengths (e.g., multiple sources of molecular contrast, non-invasive monitoring) and weaknesses (e.g., imaging depth, image interpretation) of several label-free microscopy modalities, improvements for future imaging systems are recommended.ConclusionImprovements in instrumentation including strategies that increase resolution and imaging speed, standardization and centralization of image analysis tools, and robust data validation and interpretation will expand the applications of label-free microscopy to study heterogeneous and dynamic biological systems.
Significance: Deranged metabolism and dysregulated growth factor signaling are closely associated with abnormal levels of proliferation, a recognized hallmark in tumorigenesis. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of endogenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), a key metabolic coenzyme, offers a non-invasive, diagnostic indicator of disease progression, and treatment response. The model-independent phasor analysis approach leverages FLIM to rapidly evaluate cancer metabolism in response to targeted therapy.
Aim: We combined lifetime and phasor FLIM analysis to evaluate the influence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inhibition, a prevalent cancer biomarker, on both nuclear and cytoplasmic NAD(P)H of two squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cultures. While better established, the standard lifetime analysis approach is relatively slow and potentially subject to intrinsic fitting errors and model assumptions. Phasor FLIM analysis offers a rapid, model-independent alternative, but the sensitivity of the bound NAD(P)H fraction to growth factor signaling must also be firmly established.
Approach: Two SCC cultures with low- and high-HER2 expression, were imaged using multiphoton-excited NAD(P)H FLIM, with and without treatment of the HER2 inhibitor AG825. Cells were challenged with mitochondrial inhibition and uncoupling to investigate AG825’s impact on the overall metabolic capacity. Phasor FLIM and lifetime fitting analyses were compared within nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments to investigate epigenetic and metabolic impacts of HER2 inhibition.
Results: NAD(P)H fluorescence lifetime and bound fraction consistently decreased following HER2 inhibition in both cell lines. High-HER2 SCC74B cells displayed a more significant response than low-HER2 SCC74A in both techniques. HER2 inhibition induced greater changes in nuclear than cytoplasmic compartments, leading to an increase in NAD(P)H intensity and concentration.
Conclusions: The use of both, complementary FLIM analysis techniques together with quantitative fluorescence intensity revealed consistent, quantitative changes in NAD(P)H metabolism associated with inhibition of growth factor signaling in SCC cell lines. HER2 inhibition promoted increased reliance on oxidative phosphorylation in both cell lines.
Current methods to assess immune cell function use labels that are limiting for time-course studies of immune cell behavior in tumors. Here, we use multiphoton imaging of NAD(P)H and FAD, co-enzymes of metabolism, in T cells and macrophages within the tumor microenvironment. T cells alter their metabolism in response to tumor-like pH, glucose, and lactic acid levels, while macrophages alter their metabolism during tumor-stimulated migration. These results indicate that multiphoton autofluorescence imaging is a powerful label-free method to monitor immune cell metabolism within single cells in the tumor microenvironment.
A single photon-excited confocal whole-cell autofluorescence lifetime system is described that uses fast field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based time tagging electronics to implement time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) with simultaneous near-IR brightfield imaging. This system resolves variations in the fluorescence decay of the metabolic coenzyme NAD(P)H that provides high accuracy and precision for classifying activated and quiescent primary human T cells (ROC AUC = 0.98). This performance is similar to that obtained using commercial two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). The small footprint, low cost, and high acquisition speed make this system attractive for monitoring cell biomanufacturing.
Antitumor activity of T cells often determines treatment efficacy for immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, tumor-infiltrating T cells often exhibit a hypofunctional exhausted phenotype. Current methods to evaluate T cell exhaustion use flow cytometry or cytokine production measurements that are either destructive to the sample or cannot capture single-cell heterogeneity, respectively. Here, we used fluorescence lifetime imaging of the metabolic co-enzyme NAD(P)H to evaluate T cell metabolism during exhaustion. Exhausted T cells have significantly different NAD(P)H lifetimes compared to functional T cells. This study demonstrates a label-free method to monitor T cell exhaustion in tumors.
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