Cell Analysis from Dried Blood Spots: New Opportunities in Immunology, Hematology, and Infectious Diseases

Advancements in clinical approaches, analytical methods, and smart sampling for LC-MS-based protein determination from dried matrix spots

Determination of proteins from dried matrix spots using MS is an expanding research area. Mainly, the collected dried matrix sample is whole blood from a finger or heal prick, resulting in dried blood spots. However as other matrices such as plasma, serum, urine, and tear fluid also can be collected in this way, the term dried matrix spot is used as an overarching term. In this review, the focus is on advancements in the field made from 2017 up to 2023. In the first part reviews concerning the subject are discussed. After this, advancements made for clinical purposes are highlighted. Both targeted protein analyses, with and without the use of affinity extractions, as well as untargeted, global proteomic approaches are discussed. In the last part, both methodological advancements are being reviewed as well as the possibility to integrate sample preparation steps during the sample handling. The focus, of this so-called smart sampling, is on the incorporation of cell separation, proteolysis, and antibody-based affinity capture.

The Dysregulation of the Monocyte-Dendritic Cell Interplay Is Associated with In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background: The monocyte-phagocyte system (MPS), including monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), plays a key role in anti-viral immunity. We aimed to analyze the prognostic value of the MPS components on in-hospital mortality in a cohort of 58 patients (M/F; mean age ± SD years) with COVID-19 pneumonia and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: We measured frequencies and absolute numbers of peripheral blood CD169+ monocytes, conventional CD1c+ and CD141+ (namely cDC2 and cDC1), and plasmacytoid CD303+ DCs by means of multi-parametric flow cytometry. A gene profile analysis of 770 immune-inflammatory-related human genes and 20 SARS-CoV-2 genes was also performed. Results: Median frequencies and absolute counts of CD169-expressing monocytes were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in controls (p 0.04 and p 0.01, respectively). Conversely, percentages and absolute numbers of all DC subsets were markedly depleted in patients (p < 0.0001). COVID-19 cases with absolute counts of CD169+ monocytes above the median value of 114.68/μL had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (HR 4.96; 95% CI: 1.42-17.27; p = 0.02). Interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.0001 vs. controls), and negatively correlated with the absolute counts of circulating CD1c+ cDC2 (r = -0.29, p = 0.034) and CD303+ pDC (r = -0.29, p = 0.036) subsets. Viral genes were upregulated in patients with worse outcomes along with inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1 beta, tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α) and the anticoagulant protein (PROS1). Conversely, surviving patients had upregulated genes related to inflammatory and anti-viral-related pathways along with the T cell membrane molecule CD4. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the dysregulated interplay between the different components of the MPS along with the imbalance between viral gene expression and host anti-viral immunity negatively impacts COVID-19 outcomes. Although the clinical scenario of COVID-19 has changed over time, a deepening of its pathogenesis remains a priority in clinical and experimental research.

Insight into Increased Recovery and Simplification of Genomic DNA Extraction Methods from Dried Blood Spots

There is no consensus on how to perform the manual extraction of nucleic acids from dried blood spots (DBSs). Current methods typically involve agitation of the DBSs in a solution for varying amounts of time with or without heat, and then purification of the eluted nucleic acids with a purification protocol. We explored several characteristics of genomic DNA (gDNA) DBS extraction such as extraction efficiency, the role of red blood cells (RBCs) in extraction and critical kinetic factors to understand if these protocols can be simplified while maintaining sufficient gDNA recovery. We found that agitation in a RBC lysis buffer before performing a DBS gDNA extraction protocol increases yield 1.5 to 5-fold, depending upon the anticoagulant used. The use of an alkaline lysing agent along with either heat or agitation was sufficient to elute quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) amplifiable gDNA in 5 minutes. This work adds insight into the extraction of gDNA from DBSs with the intention of informing a simple, standardized manual protocol for extraction.

Hematocrit-Independent Sampling Enables White Blood Cell Counts from Patterned Dried Blood Spot Cards

The accurate and efficient measurement of white blood cell (WBC) counts is vital for monitoring general patient health and can aid in the diagnosis of a range of possible infections or diseases. Even with their importance universally acknowledged, access to WBC counts is largely limited to those with access to phlebotomists and centralized clinical laboratories, which house the instruments that perform the tests. As a result, large populations of people (e.g., those that are home-bound or live in remote locations) lack facile access to testing. Dried blood spot (DBS) cards are often used to bridge these gaps in access to testing by offering the ability to collect blood at home for ambient shipping to laboratories. However, it is well understood that these cards, which are prepared from cellulose cardstocks without further modification, suffer from variabilities in accuracy and precision due to uncontrolled sample spreading and hematocrit effects, which have hindered their use to determine WBC counts. In this paper, we present a method to obtain an accurate WBC count using a patterned dried blood spot (pDBS) card, which comprises collection zones that meter volumes of dried blood. Using an input volume of 75 μL of whole blood, we demonstrate that, unlike the gold standard DBS card (Whatman 903), our pDBS design allows for the collection of replicate zones containing a reproducible, average volume of dried blood (12.1 μL, 7.8% CV) over the range of hematocrits from 25 to 55%. We then used qPCR to quantify the 18S rRNA gene to determine WBC counts from the volumes of blood that are metered in pDBS zones. We observe that WBC counts generated from our method are comparable to those measured with a HemoCue point-of-care WBC analyzer. Our approach to using pDBS cards as a blood collection device has the potential to support at-home sampling and other patient populations that need WBC counts but lack access to clinical facilities.

Persistence of circulating CD169+monocytes and HLA-DR downregulation underline the immune response impairment in PASC individuals: the potential contribution of different COVID-19 pandemic waves

The use of CD169 as a marker of viral infection has been widely discussed in the context of COVID-19, and in particular, its crucial role in the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its association with the severity and clinical outcome of COVID-19 were demonstrated. COVID-19 patients show relevant systemic alteration and immunological dysfunction that persists in individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). It is critical to implement the characterization of the disease, focusing also on the possible impact of the different COVID-19 waves and the consequent effects found after infection. On this basis, we evaluated by flow cytometry the expression of CD169 and HLA-DR on monocytes from COVID-19 patients and PASC individuals to better elucidate their involvement in immunological dysfunction, also evaluating the possible impact of different pandemic waves. The results confirm CD169 RMFI is a good marker of viral infection. Moreover, COVID-19 patients and PASC individuals showed high percentage of CD169+ monocytes, but low percentage of HLA-DR+ monocytes and the alteration of systemic inflammatory indices. We have also observed alterations of CD169 and HLA-DR expression and indices of inflammation upon different COVID-19 waves. The persistence of specific myeloid subpopulations suggests a role of CD169+ monocytes and HLA-DR in COVID-19 disease and chronic post-infection inflammation, opening new opportunities to evaluate the impact of specific pandemic waves on the immune response impairment and systemic alterations with the perspective to provide new tools to monitoring new variants and diseases associated to emerging respiratory viruses.

Direct Processing and Storage of Cell-Free Plasma Using Dried Plasma Spot Cards

Plasma separation cards represent a viable approach for expanding testing capabilities away from clinical settings by generating cell-free plasma with minimal user intervention. These devices typically comprise a basic structure of the plasma separation membrane, unconstrained porous collection pad, and utilize either (i) lateral or (ii) vertical fluidic pathways for separating plasma. Unfortunately, these configurations are highly susceptible to (i) inconsistent sampling volume due to differences in the patient hematocrit or (ii) severe contamination due to leakage of red blood cells or release of hemoglobin (i.e., hemolysis). Herein, we combine the enhanced sampling of our previously reported patterned dried blood spot cards with an assembly of porous separation materials to produce a patterned dried plasma spot card for direct processing and storage of cell-free plasma. Linking both vertical separation and lateral distribution of plasma yields discrete plasma collection zones that are spatially protected from potential contamination due to hemolysis and an inlet zone enriched with blood cells for additional testing. We evaluate the versatility of this card by quantitation of three classes of analytes and techniques including (i) the soluble transferrin receptor by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, (ii) potassium by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and (iii) 18S rRNA by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We achieve quantitative recovery of each class of analyte with no statistically significant difference between dried and liquid reference samples. We anticipate that this sampling approach can be applied broadly to improve access to critical blood testing in resource-limited settings or at the point-of-care.

Butyrylcholinesterase is a potential biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Background

Autonomic dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an enzyme of the cholinergic system, a major branch of the autonomic system, and may provide a measure of autonomic (dys)function. This study was undertaken to evaluate BChE activity in infants and young children who had died from Sudden Infant Death or Sudden Unexpected Death.

Methods

In this case-control study we measured BChE activity and total protein in the eluate of 5μL spots punched from the dried blood spots taken at birth as part of the newborn screening program. Results for each of 67 sudden unexpected deaths classified by the coroner (aged 1 week-104 weeks) = Cases, were compared to 10 date of birth - and gender-matched surviving controls (Controls), with five cases reclassified to meet criteria for SIDS, including the criterion of age 3 weeks to 1 year.

Findings

Conditional logistic regression showed that in groups where cases were reported as “SIDS death” there was strong evidence that lower BChE specific activity (BChEsa) was associated with death (OR=0·73 per U/mg, 95% CI 0·60-0·89, P=0·0014), whereas in groups with a “Non-SIDS death” as the case there was no evidence of a linear association between BChEsa and death (OR=1·001 per U/mg, 95% CI 0·89-1·13, P=0·99).

Interpretation

BChEsa, measured in dried blood spots taken 2-3 days after birth, was lower in babies who subsequently died of SIDS compared to surviving controls and other Non-SIDS deaths. We conclude that a previously unidentified cholinergic deficit, identifiable by abnormal -BChEsa, is present at birth in SIDS babies and represents a measurable, specific vulnerability prior to their death.

Funding

All funding provided by a crowd funding campaign https://www.mycause.com.au/p/184401/damiens-legacy

Blood cell quantification on dry blood samples: toward patient-centric complete blood counts

Background: Performing complete blood counts from patients' homes could have a transformative impact on e-based healthcare. Blood microsampling and sample drying are enabling elements for patient-centric healthcare. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of dry blood samples for image-based cell quantification of red and white blood cells. Methods: A manual sample preparation method was developed and tested for image-based red and white blood cell counting. Results & conclusion: Dry blood samples enable image-based cell counting of red and white blood cells with a good correlation to gold standard hematology analyzer data (average coefficient of variation <6.5%; R² >0.8) and resolve the basic morphology of white blood cell nuclei. The presented proof-of-principle study is a first step toward patient-centric complete blood counts.

Myeloid cells in COVID-19 microenvironment

Varying differentiation of myeloid cells is common in tumors, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases. The release of cytokines from myeloid cells is an important driving factor that leads to severe COVID-19 cases and subsequent death. This review briefly summarizes the results of single-cell sequencing of peripheral blood, lung tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid of COVID-19 patients and describes the differentiation trajectory of myeloid cells in patients. Moreover, we describe the function and mechanism of abnormal differentiation of myeloid cells to promote disease progression. Targeting myeloid cell-derived cytokines or checkpoints is essential in developing a combined therapeutic strategy for patients with severe COVID-19.