Feline leukocyte immunophenotyping: an optimised whole-blood flow cytometry protocol

: Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for immunophenotyping, but its application in feline samples is challenging due to species-specific blood characteristics, a paucity of standardised protocols and high reagent costs. These limitations may compromise sample quality, antibody performance, and the reproducibility of the results.

: An optimal protocol for extracellular immunophenotyping of feline leukocytes from peripheral whole-blood was developed, adapting established human flow cytometry methods. Key adaptations included improved blood collection process, assessing sample preservation, and titrating antibodies. Detailed MIFlowCyt-compliant information on cytometer configuration, compensation procedures, gating strategy, and controls is provided in Supplementary File S2.

: The enhanced blood collection significantly improved erythrocyte lysis rendering the samples more suitable for cytometric analysis. Baseline leukocytes viability, assessed by trypan blue exclusion was 98-100%. The use of a cellular antigen stabilisation reagent preserved feline peripheral whole-blood samples without detectable loss of surface antigen expression for up to 14 days. Antibody titration showed that most monoclonal antibodies were effective at 1.5 µL, reducing usage by up to 85%, while CD5 required 3 µL.

: This improved, cost-effective and reproducible protocol address major technical limitations in feline flow cytometry and provides a practical framework for the reliable leukocyte immunophenotyping in clinical diagnostics, research, and comparative immunology.