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An Evaluation of T-Cell Functionality After Flow Cytometry Sorting Revealed p38 MAPK Activation.
Immanuel Andrä1, Hanna Ulrich2, Susi Dürr1
1Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), Munich, Germany.
Summary
Flow cytometry cell sorting can impact cellular signaling, particularly the MAPK p38 pathway. However, human primary T cells show only minor physiological modulation and no functional impairment after sorting.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cellular alterations from sample preparation for flow cytometry are known.
- The impact of the cell sorting instrument and process on cells is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate cellular responses to physical forces induced by cell sorters.
- To investigate the effects of flow cytometry cell sorting on cellular signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Systematic evaluation of cellular responses to different sorter-induced physical forces.
- Functional assays on human primary T cells post-flow cytometry sorting, focusing on the p38 MAPK pathway.
Main Results:
- Flow cytometry cell sorting forces can affect cellular signaling cascades, notably the MAPK p38 pathway.
- Functional assays revealed minor physiological modulation in human primary T cells but no functional impairments.
Conclusions:
- Cell sorting induces physical forces that can modulate cellular signaling pathways like p38 MAPK.
- Despite signaling modulation, flow cytometry cell sorting does not cause functional impairments in human primary T cells.
