Abstract 255: Isolation of unaltered sub-populations of immune cells using magnetic levitation

Abstract

Abstract The analysis and characterization of subsets of immune cells from heterogeneous samples, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), requires isolation and enrichment. Common methods for this enrichment step include fluorescence activated cell sorting and positive or negative selection with magnetic beads. However, these methods alter native cell phenotypes during the enrichment process by the application of pressure, binding of antibodies, extensive manipulation and centrifugation, among other perturbations. This results in altered gene expression, generating molecular profiles that are not representative of true biological significance. These alterations are prevented by using magnetic levitation cell isolation and enrichment. The LeviCellTM platform performs hands-free cell enrichment by utilizing magnetic fields to levitate viable, healthy cells away from dead cells and debris. Unlike other single cell separation methods, the enriched target cells are not subject to mechanical force, labeling, or staining to achieve viability enrichment. This results in a single cell suspension that is ready for immediate downstream analysis, producing molecular profiles free of isolation-induced gene expression artifacts. We have developed reagents to extend the benefits of this technology to the immuno-oncology research market. These new reagents are used to target the enrichment of all T cells, the CD4+ or CD8+ subsets of T cells, or all B cells, with other target populations in development. In all cases, unwanted cells are captured within the levitation chamber, depleting them from the sample. These reagents leverage the magnetic field across the levitation chamber. Specifically-tagged, unwanted cells are pulled to the edges of the levitation chamber while the target cells undergo viable cell enrichment. The end result is a cell population that has been enriched and at higher viability. We have seen consistent depletion rates of >98%, resulting in a final targeted population with 90% or higher purity in most cases. Here we demonstrate the performance of the LeviCell platform in the enrichment of targeted cell populations relevant to the immuno-oncology research community. Citation Format: Kevin Travers, Nathan Wilson, Abhijit Kale. Isolation of unaltered sub-populations of immune cells using magnetic levitation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 255.