Quantitative flow cytometric analysis of expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor types I and II on mononuclear cells

Abstract

Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is an inflammatory cytokine, the biological effects of which are mediated by the interaction with specific membrane-bound receptors. To assess TNF-α receptor (TNFR) expression, it is important to estimate both the number of cells that carry these receptors and the number of receptors per cell, because the cell fate depends on the balance between TNFRI and TNFRII signaling. Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop an optimized protocol to estimate the level of expression of membrane-bound TNFRI and TNFRII, using QuantiBRITE PE calibration beads. Materials and methods: The percentage of cells that expressed membrane-bound TNFRI and TNFRII and the mean number of receptors per cell were determined by flow cytometry using PE-labeled antibodies against TNFR. To create a calibration curve and convert cell fluorescence intensity values to absolute numbers of receptors, we used QuantiBRITE PE beads. Results: CD19⁺ B lymphocytes had the least percentage of cells expressing TNFRI and the greatest number of receptor molecules per cell, whereas CD3⁺ T lymphocytes had the greatest percentage of cells expressing TNFRII and the lowest density of these receptors. We also established that stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) significantly increased the number of TNFRI and TNFRII on CD14⁺ monocytes. Conclusion: Application of the protocol-identified differences in the percentage of cells that expressed TNFRs, as well as the absolute number of receptors per cell, among different subpopulations of PBMCs, and between PBMCs cultured with and without LPS.

• Flow cytometry
• peripheral blood mononuclear cells, quantitative analysis
• tumor necrosis factor receptor

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all staff of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Institute of Clinical Immunology” for excellent assistance. We also want to thank all the members of Blood Banking Station No. 1 of “Novosibirsk Blood Center” for providing the human blood samples.

Notice of Correction

This paper published online on 15 January 2013 contained an error in the abstract. The sentence “Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, the biological effects of which are mediated by the interaction with specific membrane-bound receptors.” should have read “Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is an inflammatory cytokine, the biological effects of which are mediated by the interaction with specific membrane-bound receptors”. The error has been corrected for this version.