A CH4-Driven Ion Cloud-Stretched Approach Enables ICP-qMS for Multiplex Single-Cell Analysis
Zhengxian Lv1, Xinli Yan1, Zhen Liu1
1Department of Chemistry & the MOE Key Lab of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|October 24, 2024
Summary
Inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-qMS) can now analyze single cells. Methane gas extends ion cloud duration, enabling multiplexed detection of protein markers for cell classification and heterogeneity studies.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biotechnology
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-qMS) is a powerful tool for elemental and biomolecular quantification in solution.
- Analyzing intact single cells with ICP-qMS is challenging due to transient ion signals and instrument dwell times.
- Existing ICP-qMS methods struggle with acquiring multi-m/z signals from single cells dispersed in suspension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overcome the limitations of ICP-qMS in single-cell analysis.
- To enable multiplexed quantification of protein markers on individual cells.
- To facilitate cell classification and reveal cellular heterogeneity using ICP-qMS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized methane (CH4) gas within a collision-reaction cell (CRC) to extend the duration of single-cell ion clouds.
- Implemented ICP-(CH4-CRC)-qMS for multi-m/z signal acquisition from single cells.
- Applied the method for quantifying multiple phenotype protein markers on single cells.
Main Results:
- Methane gas extended single-cell ion cloud duration to over 7,000 μs.
- Achieved successful multi-m/z signal acquisition from single cells using ICP-qMS.
- Enabled quantification of multiple protein markers, revealing single-cell heterogeneity and enabling subtype classification.
Conclusions:
- The CH4-driven ion cloud stretching approach overcomes a major bottleneck in ICP-qMS single-cell analysis.
- This method allows for unprecedented multiplexed analysis of single cells using ICP-qMS.
- Paves the way for broader applications of ICP-qMS in single-cell research and diagnostics.
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