Multiparametric assessment of Cd2+ cytotoxicity using MTT-based microfluidic image cytometry

Abstract

A modified MTT protocol-based microfluidic image cytometry (mu FIC) was performed to assess Cd2+ induced cytotoxicity. The expanded capabilities of mu FIC, such as in situ measurement, high-throughput, and multiparametric analysis of adherent cells under precisely controlled chemical environments of microfluidic channels, were demonstrated in this study. Multiparametric analysis of mu FIC data has enabled us to categorize the progress of cell death into at least four different subgroups based on their morphology and metabolic activity. These advantages of the MTT-based mu FIC as a simpler, cheaper, and faster in vitro cell-based assay tool have many implications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, toxicological, and biological application areas, and we propose this technique as a future high throughputhigh content screening (HT-HCS) platform for cytotoxicity assays and drug screening.