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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses
Published on: March 8, 2024
A Nanoparticle-Based Affinity Sensor that Identifies and Selects Highly Cytokine-Secreting Cells
Guozhen Liu1, Christina Bursill2, Siân P Cartland3
1Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics (CNBP), Faculty of Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale Biophotonics (CNBP), Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia; International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P. R. China.
We developed OnCELISA, a universal method to detect cytokine secretion from single cells using cell membrane capture technology. This technique allows for ultrasensitive monitoring and selection of cytokine-secreting cells in complex biological environments like atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cytokine secretion is crucial for cellular communication and immune responses.
- Detecting cytokine secretion at a single-cell level is challenging but essential for understanding cellular heterogeneity.
- Existing methods often lack the sensitivity or flexibility to analyze diverse cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a universal and sensitive method for detecting cytokine secretion from individual cells.
- To enable the identification and selection of specific cytokine-secreting cell populations.
- To demonstrate the application of the method in complex biological systems.
Main Methods:
- Development of OnCELISA (On-cell Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) using cell membrane capture technology.
- Utilized fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles as reporters for single-cell detection.
- Applied microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorimetry for detection in individual cells and cell ensembles.
- Validated the method in vitro and ex vivo, including in the context of atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- OnCELISA successfully detects cytokine secretion at a single-cell level.
- The system is flexible and adaptable for various cytokines and cell types.
- Enabled selection and sorting of highly cytokine-secreting cells.
- Demonstrated ultrasensitive cytokine monitoring in the complex environment of atherosclerosis.
Conclusions:
- OnCELISA provides a versatile platform for single-cell cytokine detection and cell population analysis.
- The method facilitates the identification of cytokine expression profiles in diverse cell types.
- OnCELISA is valuable for monitoring disease progression and understanding cellular functions in complex biological settings.
