Mass Cytometry: Protocol for Daily Tuning and Running Cell Samples on a CyTOF Mass Cytometer

Summary

The steps necessary for daily tuning and optimization of the performance of a CyTOF mass cytometer are described. Comments on optimal sample preparation and flow rate are discussed

Abstract

In recent years, the rapid analysis of single cells has commonly been performed using flow cytometry and fluorescently-labeled antibodies. However, the issue of spectral overlap of fluorophore emissions has limited the number of simultaneous probes. In contrast, the new CyTOF mass cytometer by DVS Sciences couples a liquid single-cell introduction system to an ICP-MS.¹ Rather than fluorophores, chelating polymers containing highly-enriched metal isotopes are coupled to antibodies or other specific probes.^2-5 Because of the metal purity and mass resolution of the mass cytometer, there is no "spectral overlap" from neighboring isotopes, and therefore no need for compensation matrices. Additionally, due to the use of lanthanide metals, there is no biological background and therefore no equivalent of autofluorescence. With a mass window spanning atomic mass 103-203, theoretically up to 100 labels could be distinguished simultaneously. Currently, more than 35 channels are available using the chelating reagents available from DVS Sciences, allowing unprecedented dissection of the immunological profile of samples.^6-7

Disadvantages to mass cytometry include the strict requirement for a separate metal isotope per probe (no equivalent of forward or side scatter), and the fact that it is a destructive technique (no possibility of sorting recovery). The current configuration of the mass cytometer also has a cell transmission rate of only ~25%, thus requiring a higher input number of cells.

Optimal daily performance of the mass cytometer requires several steps. The basic goal of the optimization is to maximize the measured signal intensity of the desired metal isotopes (M) while minimizing the formation of oxides (M+16) that will decrease the M signal intensity and interfere with any desired signal at M+16. The first step is to warm up the machine so a hot, stable ICP plasma has been established. Second, the settings for current and make-up gas flow rate must be optimized on a daily basis. During sample collection, the maximum cell event rate is limited by detector efficiency and processing speed to 1000 cells/sec. However, depending on the sample quality, a slower cell event rate (300-500 cells/sec) is usually desirable to allow better resolution between cells events and thus maximize intact singlets over doublets and debris. Finally, adequate cleaning of the machine at the end of the day helps minimize background signal due to free metal.

Protocol

All cell samples for the CyTOF must be fixed and permeabilized. This enables greater entry of the iridium-containing DNA intercalator, and also prevents cell lysis during the MilliQ water wash and resuspension steps immediately before injecting into the mass cytometer.

1. Start-up of the Mass Cytometer

1. Open the CyTOF software program. Select Instrument Setup. On the Card Cage tab, go to the lower right corner and click Heater "ON" button. Turn on the heater at least 15 min prior to desired time to allow sufficient time for the spray chamber mantle to reach 200 °C.
2. Replace the white Norm-Ject 3 ml syringe in the syringe....

Results

Following the above protocol should accomplish four things. First, allowing adequate warm-up time for the mass cytometer will produce a hot, stable plasma necessary for optimal signal and minimal oxide formation. Second, adequate washing of the mass cytometer with MilliQ water and DVS Wash solution (Figure 9) will help reduce the levels of metal adsorption to the tubing and other parts of the machine, helping to reduce background during sample acquisition (Figure 8). It will also help re.......

Discussion

For the last few decades, fluorescence flow cytometry has been a workhorse method for analyzing single cells, both in terms of surface expression and in functional assays. However, the issues of spectral overlap of the fluorescent dyes has limited the number of simultaneous markers. While experiments using more than 12 simultaneous markers have been reported, the amount of compensation necessary makes this technically difficult.

Instead of fluorophores, mass cytometry pioneered by DVS Sciences.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
CyTOF mass cytometer	DVS Sciences
Wash solution	DVS Sciences	201071	0.05% hydrofluoric acid in water
Tuning solution	DVS Sciences	201072	0.5 ppm La, Cs, Tb, Tm, Ir, trace nitric acid
Eu-containing polystyrene beads	DVS Sciences	201073	Contains natural-abundance Eu isotopes; beads supplied at approximately 1 million/ml
Multi-lanthanide-containing (La/Pr/Tb/Tm/Lu)- polystyrene beads	DVS Sciences	Not yet commercially-available	Contains natural-abundance isotopes of listed lanthanides
Nitric acid (concentrated)	Fisher Scientific	A467-500	Optima trace-metal pure ICP-MS grade
Polystyrene round-bottom tube with cell-strainer cap-5 ml	BD	352235	used to filter cell samples before injection
Norm-Ject tuberkulin syringe-1 ml	Henke Sass Wolf	4010-200V0	silicone-free, latex-free
Norm-Ject syringe-3 ml	Henke Sass Wolf	4010.000V0	silicone-free, latex-free
MilliQ water			18 MΩ pure water; must not be stored in glass or plastic bottles that have been washed with commercial detergent (due to their high levels of barium present).
Citranox	Sigma-Aldrich	Z273236	acid detergent
Argon gas	Praxair	AR 5.0UH-T	99.999% Ultra-high purity