Theranostics 2020; 10(1):123-132. doi:10.7150/thno.37728 This issue Cite

Research Paper

A Microfluidic Platform for Single Cell Fluorometric Granzyme B Profiling

Jonathan C. Briones1*, Wilfred V. Espulgar1*, Shohei Koyama2, Hiroyuki Yoshikawa1, JeongHoon Park2, Yujiro Naito2, Atsushi Kumanogoh2, Eiichi Tamiya1,3✉, Hyota Takamatsu2, Masato Saito1,3✉

1. Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, JAPAN.
2. Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, JAPAN.
3. AIST PhotoBIO-OIL, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, JAPAN.
* These authors contributed equally to this work.

Citation:
Briones JC, Espulgar WV, Koyama S, Yoshikawa H, Park J, Naito Y, Kumanogoh A, Tamiya E, Takamatsu H, Saito M. A Microfluidic Platform for Single Cell Fluorometric Granzyme B Profiling. Theranostics 2020; 10(1):123-132. doi:10.7150/thno.37728. https://www.thno.org/v10p0123.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Granzyme B (GrB) is an essential cytotoxic effector in cancer immunotherapy as it can be a potential biomarker to predict the efficacy of immunotherapies including checkpoint inhibitors. Monitoring the Granzyme B activity in cells would help determine a patient's clinical response to treatment and lead to better treatment strategies by preventing administration of ineffective therapies and avoid adverse events resulting in a delay in subsequent treatment.

Methods: A microfluidic device with hydrodynamic traps and pneumatic valving system was fabricated using photo and soft lithography. Single cell Granzyme B (GrB) activity was detected and measured fluorometrically using a commercial assay kit with a peptide substrate containing GrB recognition sequence (Ac-IEPD-AFC) and AFC (7-Amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin) label. Fluorescence was observed and measured using a confocal microscope with CSU-W1 scanner unit and CCD camera as well as an inverted microscope with photodetector. Model cells (NK-92, GrB-transduced Jurkat, and THP1 cells) and human PBMCs from healthy donor and lung cancer patients including an anti-PD-1 antibody treated patient were profiled of its GrB activity as proof of concept.

Results: GrB expression from the model cells was found to be markedly different. NK-92 cells were found to have higher GrB activity than the GrB-transduced Jurkat cells. THP-1 was found to have relatively no significant activity. A marked increase in GrB expression was also observed in anti-PD-1 treated lung cancer patient sample in comparison to PBMC from a healthy donor. TCR+ Ig-G4+ PBMC cells were found to have high activity which signifies a clear response to PD-1 blockade.

Conclusion: As proof of concept, we have shown the capability of a microfluidic platform to measure GrB production through a single cell enzymatic activity assay. Our platform might be a promising tool for evaluating the sensitivity of immunotherapies and identifying specific T cell subset responsible for the anti-tumor response.

Keywords: single cell, granzyme b profiling, microfluidics, immunotherapy


Citation styles

APA
Briones, J.C., Espulgar, W.V., Koyama, S., Yoshikawa, H., Park, J., Naito, Y., Kumanogoh, A., Tamiya, E., Takamatsu, H., Saito, M. (2020). A Microfluidic Platform for Single Cell Fluorometric Granzyme B Profiling. Theranostics, 10(1), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.37728.

ACS
Briones, J.C.; Espulgar, W.V.; Koyama, S.; Yoshikawa, H.; Park, J.; Naito, Y.; Kumanogoh, A.; Tamiya, E.; Takamatsu, H.; Saito, M. A Microfluidic Platform for Single Cell Fluorometric Granzyme B Profiling. Theranostics 2020, 10 (1), 123-132. DOI: 10.7150/thno.37728.

NLM
Briones JC, Espulgar WV, Koyama S, Yoshikawa H, Park J, Naito Y, Kumanogoh A, Tamiya E, Takamatsu H, Saito M. A Microfluidic Platform for Single Cell Fluorometric Granzyme B Profiling. Theranostics 2020; 10(1):123-132. doi:10.7150/thno.37728. https://www.thno.org/v10p0123.htm

CSE
Briones JC, Espulgar WV, Koyama S, Yoshikawa H, Park J, Naito Y, Kumanogoh A, Tamiya E, Takamatsu H, Saito M. 2020. A Microfluidic Platform for Single Cell Fluorometric Granzyme B Profiling. Theranostics. 10(1):123-132.

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