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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Imaging Metals in Brain Tissue by Laser Ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry LA-ICP-MS
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Imaging Metals in Brain Tissue by Laser Ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry LA-ICP-MS

Published on: January 22, 2017

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Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: An Emerging Technology for Multiparametric Analysis of

Robert W Hutchinson1, Katherine M McLachlin2, Paloma Riquelme3

  • 1Electro Scientific Industries, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.

Transplantation Direct
|August 9, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) can simultaneously detect 24 markers on human leukocytes. This method accurately identifies immune cell subpopulations in complex samples, paving the way for advanced bioimaging.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Understanding immune cell heterogeneity is crucial for immunological research.
  • Multiparametric characterization of individual cells offers insights into immune responses.
  • Existing techniques may have limitations in simultaneously detecting numerous cellular markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for multiparametric analysis of human leukocytes.
  • To assess the sensitivity and specificity of LA-ICP-MS in identifying immune cell subpopulations.
  • To determine the suitability of LA-ICP-MS for analyzing cells in solid-phase biological specimens.

Main Methods:

  • Application of LA-ICP-MS to human leukocytes.
  • Concurrent detection of 24 lineage and activation markers.
  • Analysis of isolated T, B, and natural killer cells.
  • Detection of leukocyte subsets within peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Main Results:

  • LA-ICP-MS demonstrated sufficient sensitivity and specificity for marker detection.
  • Accurate identification of T, B, and natural killer cell subpopulations was achieved.
  • Leukocyte subsets were successfully detected in unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
  • The method is suitable for assessing multiple tissue antigens in solid-phase samples.

Conclusions:

  • LA-ICP-MS is a viable technique for multiparametric characterization of immune cells.
  • This method enables precise identification of immune cell heterogeneity at the single-cell level.
  • LA-ICP-MS holds promise for the development of future bioimaging instruments for broader applications.

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