Mass Cytometry Tags: Where Chemistry Meets Single-Cell Analysis

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Proteomics
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Mass cytometry enables high-multiparametric single-cell proteomic analysis using metal-tagged reagents.
• Inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOF-MS) detects metal reporters.
• Diverse mass-tag reagents, including polymer-based, nonpolymer-based, and inorganic nanoparticles, have been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To classify and review mass cytometry mass-tag reagents.
• To highlight applications, strengths, and shortcomings of various mass-tag reagents.
• To emphasize mass-tag cellular barcoding (MCB) and discuss future perspectives.

Main Methods:

• Classification of mass-tag reagents into polymer-based, nonpolymer-based, and inorganic nanoparticles.
• Review of strategies to improve metal detection range and signal intensity (e.g., chelating agents, branched polymers).
• Discussion of recent advancements in live cell barcoding techniques.

Main Results:

• Metal-chelating polymers (MCPs) require improved metal detection and signal.
• Inorganic nanoparticles offer high metal content for enhanced signal detection of low-abundance biomarkers.
• Nonpolymer-based reagents support cell detection, cell cycle analysis, biomarker detection, and MCB.

Conclusions:

• Mass cytometry reagents are crucial for advanced proteomic studies.
• Continued development of mass-tag reagents, particularly for MCB, is essential for future applications.
• Future perspectives involve optimizing existing reagents and exploring novel materials for enhanced cellular analysis.