Optimization and standardization of fluorescent cell barcoding for multiplexed flow cytometric phenotyping.

Fluorescent cell barcoding (FCB) is a cell-based multiplexing technique for high-throughput flow cytometry. Barcoded samples can be stained and acquired collectively, minimizing staining variability and antibody consumption, and decreasing required sample volumes. Combined with functional measurements, FCB can be used for drug screening, signaling profiling, and cytokine detection, but technical issues are present. We optimized the FCB technique for routine utilization using DyLight 350, DyLight 800, Pacific Orange, and CBD500 for barcoding six, nine, or 36 human peripheral blood specimens. Working concentrations of FCB dyes ranging from 0 to 500 μg/ml were tested, and viability dye staining was optimized to increase robustness of data. A five-color staining with surface markers for Vβ usage analysis in CD4 and CD8 T cells was achieved in combination with nine sample barcoding. We provide improvements of the FCB technique that should be useful for multiplex drug screening and for lymphocyte characterization and perturbations in the diagnosis and during the course of disease. Published 2017 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry. This article is a US government work and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.