In the world of cancer research, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is revolutionizing the way we approach treatment. It is a groundbreaking technology, giving hope to patients with various forms of cancer that were previously thought to be untreatable. By harnessing the power of our own immune system, CAR-T therapy reprograms T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells.
However, CAR-T therapy calls for a well-defined and efficient workflow, making cell analysis a crucial part of the process.
Importance of cell analysis in the CAR-T workflow
The CAR-T workflow involves steps such as the extraction of patient’s T-cells, activation of T-cells, transduction efficiency monitoring, T-cell expansion, and final QC and characterization. Throughout each step of this workflow, cell analysis is essential for monitoring the quality, quantity, and functionality of the cells. For example, at the time of extraction, ensuring a suitable number of viable T-cells is important. In the T-cell activation stage, T-cells are genetically modified to make chimeric antigen receptors on the surface of the cells. Here, it is crucial to confirm successful gene transfer and expression. In the expansion phase, the proliferation and viability of the cells need to be monitored.
The success of this therapy relies heavily on the activation of T-cells. Therefore, the monitoring of T-cell activation by measuring their size at this point is critical.
Advantages of using Coulter Principle cell sizing for T-cell activation
Coulter Principle is a well-established technology for cell counts and sizing. Other techniques that are used are flow cytometry, bioluminescence imaging (BLI), positron emission tomography (PET), microscopy, PCR etc.
Here, read the advantages of using the Coulter Principle over other systems for T-cell activation studies.
Highly accurate
When T-cells are activated, they undergo various morphological changes, such as an increase in cell size and cell volume. The Coulter Principle is a highly accurate technique for cell sizing and cell counting. It works by measuring changes in electrical impedance as cells pass through a small aperture; the change in impedance is proportional to the cell’s volume. This method provides a high degree of accuracy, even for small cells like T-cells.
High throughput
The Coulter Principle can be used for high-throughput analysis of T-cells. Scientists can rapidly analyze large numbers of cells in a short amount of time. This is particularly useful for T-cell activation studies, where a large number of samples need to be analyzed. The speed offered by Coulter-Principle-based counters makes them attractive options for scientists.
Non-invasive process
The Coulter Principle cell analyzers don’t require staining or labeling of cells. This non-invasive process is particularly important for T-cell activation studies, where staining or labeling can interfere with the activation process. Rapid measurement of healthy and viable cells allows scientists to quickly select cells for further analysis.
Reliable and reproducible results:
Coulter Principle gives consistent results across different experiments, which is important for T-cell activation studies that involve multiple experiments. Unlike other systems that rely on visual interpretation, the results from Coulter Principle analyses do not get affected by biases or variations in interpretation.
Flexibility
The Coulter principle is applicable for the examination of various T-cell subsets, such as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. This technique can also be employed to examine T-cells derived from various species.
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