Centrifuge-free cell radiolabeling using acoustophoresis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Radiochemistry
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Radionuclide imaging, like positron emission tomography, is crucial for evaluating cell-based therapies.
• Conventional radiolabeling methods necessitate centrifugation, complicating automation and device design.
• Acoustophoresis offers a potential centrifuge-free alternative for cell processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an acoustophoresis-based approach for radiolabeling EL4 murine T lymphoblasts with zirconium-89 (89Zr)-oxine.
• To eliminate the need for centrifugation in cell radiolabeling procedures.
• To assess the feasibility of developing a fully automated radiolabeling device using acoustophoresis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the AcouWash 2 device for acoustophoresis-based cell washing and concentration.
• Performed radiolabeling of EL4 cells with 89Zr-oxine without centrifugation.
• Assessed cell concentration, buffer exchange, and removal of unbound radiotracer using acoustophoresis.

Main Results:

• AcouWash 2 successfully replaced culture medium with protein-free buffer and concentrated cells (5.6 ± 0.4 factor).
• Centrifugation was eliminated throughout the radiolabeling process, including unbound 89Zr-oxine removal.
• Resulting radiolabeled cells showed comparable labeling metrics, specific activity, efficiency, and viability to centrifuge-based methods.

Conclusions:

• Acoustophoresis-based radiolabeling is a viable, centrifuge-free alternative for cell therapy evaluation.
• This technology simplifies the radiolabeling process and supports the development of automated devices.
• Acoustophoresis holds promise for advancing cell tracking and therapeutic monitoring.