Immunophenotyping
Encyclopedia
Immunophenotyping is a technique used to study the protein expressed by cells. This technique is commonly used in basic science research and laboratory diagnostic purpose. This can be done on tissue section (fresh or fixed tissue), cell suspension, etc. An example is the detection of tumor marker
, such as in the diagnosis
of leukemia
. It involves the labelling of white blood cell
s with antibodies
directed against surface protein
s on their membrane. By choosing appropriate antibodies, the differentiation of leukemic
cells can be accurately determined. The labelled cells are processed in a flow cytometer
, a laser-based instrument capable of analyzing thousands of cells per second. The whole procedure can be performed on cells from the blood
, bone marrow
or spinal fluid in a matter of a few hours.
An example of information provided through Immunophenotyping:
"The flow cytometric immunophenotyping report indicated the malignant cells were positive for CD19, CD10, dimCD20, CD45, HLA-DR, and λ immunoglobulin light chain. There was no coexpression of CD5 or CD23 by the monoclonal B-cell population."
Tumor marker
A tumor marker is a substance found in the blood, urine, or body tissues that can be elevated in cancer, among other tissue types. There are many different tumor markers, each indicative of a particular disease process, and they are used in oncology to help detect the presence of cancer...
, such as in the diagnosis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships...
of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. It involves the labelling of white blood cell
White blood cell
White blood cells, or leukocytes , are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. Five different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a...
s with antibodies
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
directed against surface protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
s on their membrane. By choosing appropriate antibodies, the differentiation of leukemic
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
cells can be accurately determined. The labelled cells are processed in a flow cytometer
Flow cytometry
Flow cytometry is a technique for counting and examining microscopic particles, such as cells and chromosomes, by suspending them in a stream of fluid and passing them by an electronic detection apparatus. It allows simultaneous multiparametric analysis of the physical and/or chemical...
, a laser-based instrument capable of analyzing thousands of cells per second. The whole procedure can be performed on cells from the blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
or spinal fluid in a matter of a few hours.
An example of information provided through Immunophenotyping:
"The flow cytometric immunophenotyping report indicated the malignant cells were positive for CD19, CD10, dimCD20, CD45, HLA-DR, and λ immunoglobulin light chain. There was no coexpression of CD5 or CD23 by the monoclonal B-cell population."