Label-free single cell analysis with a chip-based impedance flow cytometer

For description of cellular phenotypes and physiological states new developments are needed. Axetris' impedance flow cytometer (IFC) (Leister) is a new promising label-free alternative to fluorescence-based flow cytometry (FCM). IFC measures single cells at various frequencies simultaneously. The frequencies used for signal acquisition range from 0.1 to 20 MHz. The impedance signal provides information about cell volume (< 1 MHz), membrane capacitance (~1-4 MHz) and cytoplasmic conductivity (4-10 MHz), parameters directly related to the physiological conditions of single cells. In MCF-7 cell viability experiments, cells were treated with cytotoxic agents to induce cell death. Impedance analysis showed discrimination between viable and dead cells. This was clearly visible at 4 MHz suggesting that differentiation was possible based on cell membrane capacitance. Changes in cell membrane potential were also analysed by IFC. RN22 cells were loaded with membrane potential sensitive dye (DiBAC4). The cells were then treated with the ionophore valinomycin. Changes in membrane potential were detectable at the level of cytoplasm conductivity (>4 MHz) and membrane capacitance (1-4 MHz). Our data indicate that IFC can be a valuable alternative to conventional FCM for various applications in the field of cell death and physiology. The work will be extended to address further potential applications of IFC in biotechnology and biomedical cell analysis, as well as in cell sorting.