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Ma P, Sternson S, Chen Y. The promise and peril of comparing fluorescence lifetime in biology revealed by simulations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.20.572686. [PMID: 38187652 PMCID: PMC10769356 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Signaling dynamics are crucial in biological systems, and biosensor-based real-time imaging has revolutionized their analysis. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) excels over the widely used fluorescence intensity imaging by allowing the measurement of absolute signal levels, independent of sensor concentration. This capability enables the comparison of signaling dynamics across different animals, body regions, and timeframes. However, FLIM's advantage can be compromised by factors like autofluorescence in biological experiments. To address this, we introduce FLiSimBA, a flexible computational framework for realistic F luorescence Li fetime Sim ulation for B iological A pplications. Through simulations, we analyze the signal-to-noise ratios of fluorescence lifetime data, determining measurement uncertainty and providing necessary error bars for lifetime measurements. Furthermore, we challenge the belief that fluorescence lifetime is unaffected by sensor expression and establish quantitative limits to this insensitivity in biological applications. Additionally, we propose innovations, notably multiplexed dynamic imaging that combines fluorescence intensity and lifetime measurements. This innovation can transform the number of signals that can be simultaneously monitored, thereby enabling a systems approach in studying signaling dynamics. Thus, by incorporating diverse factors into our simulation framework, we uncover surprises, identify limitations, and propose advancements for fluorescence lifetime imaging in biology. This quantitative framework supports rigorous experimental design, facilitates accurate data interpretation, and paves the way for technological advancements in fluorescence lifetime imaging.
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Samimi K, Pasachhe O, Guzman EC, Riendeau J, Gillette AA, Pham DL, Wiech KJ, Moore DL, Skala MC. Autofluorescence lifetime flow cytometry with time-correlated single photon counting. Cytometry A 2024; 105:607-620. [PMID: 38943226 PMCID: PMC11425855 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is sensitive to metabolic changes in single cells based on changes in the protein-binding activities of the metabolic co-enzymes NAD(P)H. However, FLIM typically relies on time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) detection electronics on laser-scanning microscopes, which are expensive, low-throughput, and require substantial post-processing time for cell segmentation and analysis. Here, we present a fluorescence lifetime-sensitive flow cytometer that offers the same TCSPC temporal resolution in a flow geometry, with low-cost single-photon excitation sources, a throughput of tens of cells per second, and real-time single-cell analysis. The system uses a 375 nm picosecond-pulsed diode laser operating at 50 MHz, alkali photomultiplier tubes, an FPGA-based time tagger, and can provide real-time phasor-based classification (i.e., gating) of flowing cells. A CMOS camera produces simultaneous brightfield images using far-red illumination. A second PMT provides two-color analysis. Cells are injected into the microfluidic channel using a syringe pump at 2-5 mm/s with nearly 5 ms integration time per cell, resulting in a light dose of 2.65 J/cm2 that is well below damage thresholds (25 J/cm2 at 375 nm). Our results show that cells remain viable after measurement, and the system is sensitive to autofluorescence lifetime changes in Jurkat T cells with metabolic perturbation (sodium cyanide), quiescent versus activated (CD3/CD28/CD2) primary human T cells, and quiescent versus activated primary adult mouse neural stem cells, consistent with prior studies using multiphoton FLIM. This TCSPC-based autofluorescence lifetime flow cytometer provides a valuable label-free method for real-time analysis of single-cell function and metabolism with higher throughput than laser-scanning microscopy systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayvan Samimi
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Dan L. Pham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kasia J. Wiech
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Darcie L. Moore
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melissa C. Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Kunala K, Tang JAH, Parkins K, Hunter JJ. Multispectral label-free in vivo cellular imaging of human retinal pigment epithelium using adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy improves feasibility for low emission analysis and increases sensitivity for detecting changes with age and eccentricity. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2024; 29:S22707. [PMID: 38962492 PMCID: PMC11221116 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.29.s2.s22707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Significance Adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy (AOFLIO) provides a label-free approach to observe functional and molecular changes at cellular scale in vivo. Adding multispectral capabilities improves interpretation of lifetime fluctuations due to individual fluorophores in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Aim To quantify the cellular-scale changes in autofluorescence with age and eccentricity due to variations in lipofuscin, melanin, and melanolipofuscin in RPE using multispectral AOFLIO. Approach AOFLIO was performed on six subjects at seven eccentricities. Four imaging channels (λ ex / λ em ) were used: 473/SSC, 473/LSC, 532/LSC, and 765/NIR. Cells were segmented and the timing signals of each pixel in a cell were combined into a single histogram, which were then used to compute the lifetime and phasor parameters. An ANOVA was performed to investigate eccentricity and spectral effects on each parameter. Results A repeatability analysis revealed < 11.8 % change in lifetime parameters in repeat visits for 532/LSC. The 765/NIR and 532/LSC had eccentricity and age effects similar to previous reports. The 473/LSC had a change in eccentricity with mean lifetime and a phasor component. Both the 473/LSC and 473/SSC had changes in eccentricity in the short lifetime component and its relative contribution. The 473/SSC had no trend in eccentricity in phasor. The comparison across the four channels showed differences in lifetime and phasor parameters. Conclusions Multispectral AOFLIO can provide a more comprehensive picture of changes with age and eccentricity. These results indicate that cell segmentation has the potential to allow investigations in low-photon scenarios such as in older or diseased subjects with the co-capture of an NIR channel (such as 765/NIR) with the desired spectral channel. This work represents the first multispectral, cellular-scale fluorescence lifetime comparison in vivo in the human RPE and may be a useful method for tracking diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karteek Kunala
- Stanford University, Byers Eye Institute, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Janet A. H. Tang
- University of Rochester, Center for Visual Science, Rochester, New York, United States
- University of Rochester, The Institute of Optics, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Keith Parkins
- University of Rochester, Center for Visual Science, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Jennifer J. Hunter
- University of Rochester, Center for Visual Science, Rochester, New York, United States
- University of Rochester, The Institute of Optics, Rochester, New York, United States
- University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Samimi K, Pasachhe O, Guzman EC, Riendeau J, Gillette AA, Pham DL, Wiech KJ, Moore DL, Skala MC. Autofluorescence lifetime flow cytometry with time-correlated single photon counting. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594394. [PMID: 38798331 PMCID: PMC11118363 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is sensitive to metabolic changes in single cells based on changes in the protein-binding activities of the metabolic co-enzymes NAD(P)H. However, FLIM typically relies on time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) detection electronics on laser-scanning microscopes, which are expensive, low-throughput, and require substantial post-processing time for cell segmentation and analysis. Here, we present a fluorescence lifetime-sensitive flow cytometer that offers the same TCSPC temporal resolution in a flow geometry, with low-cost single-photon excitation sources, a throughput of tens of cells per second, and real-time single-cell analysis. The system uses a 375nm picosecond-pulsed diode laser operating at 50MHz, alkali photomultiplier tubes, an FPGA-based time tagger, and can provide real-time phasor-based classification ( i.e ., gating) of flowing cells. A CMOS camera produces simultaneous brightfield images using far-red illumination. A second PMT provides two-color analysis. Cells are injected into the microfluidic channel using a syringe pump at 2-5 mm/s with nearly 5ms integration time per cell, resulting in a light dose of 2.65 J/cm 2 that is well below damage thresholds (25 J/cm 2 at 375 nm). Our results show that cells remain viable after measurement, and the system is sensitive to autofluorescence lifetime changes in Jurkat T cells with metabolic perturbation (sodium cyanide), quiescent vs. activated (CD3/CD28/CD2) primary human T cells, and quiescent vs. activated primary adult mouse neural stem cells, consistent with prior studies using multiphoton FLIM. This TCSPC-based autofluorescence lifetime flow cytometer provides a valuable label-free method for real-time analysis of single-cell function and metabolism with higher throughput than laser-scanning microscopy systems.
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Kunala K, Tang JAH, Bowles Johnson KE, Huynh KT, Parkins K, Kim HJ, Yang Q, Sparrow JR, Hunter JJ. Near Infrared Autofluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Using Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscopy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:27. [PMID: 38758638 PMCID: PMC11107951 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.5.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To demonstrate the first near-infrared adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (NIR-AOFLIO) measurements in vivo of the human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cellular mosaic and to visualize lifetime changes at different retinal eccentricities. Methods NIR reflectance and autofluorescence were captured using a custom adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope in 10 healthy subjects (23-64 years old) at seven eccentricities and in two eyes with retinal abnormalities. Repeatability was assessed across two visits up to 8 weeks apart. Endogenous retinal fluorophores and hydrophobic whole retinal extracts of Abca4-/- pigmented and albino mice were imaged to probe the fluorescence origin of NIR-AOFLIO. Results The RPE mosaic was resolved at all locations in five of seven younger subjects (<35 years old). The mean lifetime across near-peripheral regions (8° and 12°) was longer compared to near-foveal regions (0° and 2°). Repeatability across two visits showed moderate to excellent correlation (intraclass correlation: 0.88 [τm], 0.75 [τ1], 0.65 [τ2], 0.98 [a1]). The mean lifetime across drusen-containing eyes was longer than in age-matched healthy eyes. Fluorescence was observed in only the extracts from pigmented Abca4-/- mouse. Conclusions NIR-AOFLIO was repeatable and allowed visualization of the RPE cellular mosaic. An observed signal in only the pigmented mouse extract infers the fluorescence signal originates predominantly from melanin. Variations observed across the retina with intermediate age-related macular degeneration suggest NIR-AOFLIO may act as a functional measure of a biomarker for in vivo monitoring of early alterations in retinal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karteek Kunala
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Janet A. H. Tang
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Kristen E. Bowles Johnson
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
| | - Khang T. Huynh
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States
| | - Keith Parkins
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Hye-Jin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Qiang Yang
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Janet R. Sparrow
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Jennifer J. Hunter
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Bowles Johnson KE, Tang JAH, Kunala K, Huynh KT, Parkins K, Yang Q, Hunter JJ. Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium in Pentosan Polysulfate Toxicity Using Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscopy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:27. [PMID: 38630675 PMCID: PMC11044828 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) is an emerging clinical modality that could provide biomarkers of retinal health beyond fluorescence intensity. Adaptive optics (AO) ophthalmoscopy provides the confocality to measure fluorescence lifetime (FL) primarily from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) whereas clinical FLIO has greater influence from fluorophores in the inner retina and lens. Adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy (AOFLIO) measures of FL in vivo could provide insight into RPE health at different stages of disease. In this study, we assess changes in pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) toxicity, a recently described toxicity that has clinical findings similar to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Methods AOFLIO was performed on three subjects with PPS toxicity (57-67 years old) and six age-matched controls (50-64 years old). FL was analyzed with a double exponential decay curve fit and with phasor analysis. Regions of interest (ROIs) were subcategorized based on retinal features on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and compared to age-matched controls. Results Twelve ROIs from PPS toxicity subjects met the threshold for analysis by curve fitting and 15 ROIs met the threshold for phasor analysis. Subjects with PPS toxicity had prolonged FL compared to age-matched controls. ROIs of RPE degeneration had the longest FLs, with individual pixels extending longer than 900 ps. Conclusions Our study shows evidence that AOFLIO can provide meaningful information in outer retinal disease beyond what is obtainable from fluorescence intensity alone. More studies are needed to determine the prognostic value of AOFLIO.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janet A. H. Tang
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Karteek Kunala
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Khang T. Huynh
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Keith Parkins
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Qiang Yang
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Jennifer J. Hunter
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Mo Y, Zhou H, Xu J, Chen X, Li L, Zhang S. Genetically encoded fluorescence lifetime biosensors: overview, advances, and opportunities. Analyst 2023; 148:4939-4953. [PMID: 37721109 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01201h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Genetically encoded biosensors based on fluorescent proteins (FPs) are powerful tools for tracking analytes and cellular events with high spatial and temporal resolution in living cells and organisms. Compared with intensiometric readout and ratiometric readout, fluorescence lifetime readout provides absolute measurements, independent of the biosensor expression level and instruments. Thus, genetically encoded fluorescence lifetime biosensors play a vital role in facilitating accurate quantitative assessments within intricate biological systems. In this review, we first provide a concise description of the categorization and working mechanism of genetically encoded fluorescence lifetime biosensors. Subsequently, we elaborate on the combination of the fluorescence lifetime imaging technique and lifetime analysis methods with fluorescence lifetime biosensors, followed by their application in monitoring the dynamics of environment parameters, analytes and cellular events. Finally, we discuss worthwhile considerations for the design, optimization and development of fluorescence lifetime-based biosensors from three representative cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, No. 500, Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Huangmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, No. 500, Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jinming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, No. 500, Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xihang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, No. 500, Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Lei Li
- School of Science, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
| | - Sanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, No. 500, Dongchuan Rd, Shanghai 200241, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
- NYU-ECNU Institute of Physics at NYU Shanghai, No. 3663, North Zhongshan Rd, Shanghai 200062, China.
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