A simple, robust flow cytometry-based whole blood assay for investigating sex differential interferon alpha production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2022.113263
• Publication Date: 2022-03-24T22:35:21Z
• Authors: Oliver Sampson; Nicholas Lim; Jemima White; Vinicius Vieira; Henrik Kløverpris; Emily Adland; Chris Conlon; Donal Skelly; Lucy Jones; Lizzie Stafford; Anni Jamsen; Ellie Barnes; Susie Dunachie; John Frater; Paul Klenerman; Marcus Altfeld; Philip Goulder
• Keywords: Plasmacytoid dendritic cell

Central to sex differences observed in outcome from infection and vaccination is the innate immune response, specifically production of type I interferons by plasmacytoid dendtiric cells (pDCs), main producers IFN-α. Evaluation IFN-α pDCs therefore critical for studies function. However, reliable measurement pDC hampered reduced cell yields cytokine after cryopreservation or even short delays stimulating freshly isolated cells. We here describe a simple yet robust method measuring that preserves activation through immediate stimulation whole blood subsequent maintenance at 37 °C.