Multiplex stimulated Raman scattering imaging cytometry reveals cancer metabolic signatures in a spatially, temporally, and spectrally resolved manner

TL;DR

This paper introduces multiplex stimulated Raman scattering imaging cytometry, a label-free, high-throughput method for analyzing cellular metabolites and metabolic responses in cancer cells with spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution.

Contribution

The study presents a novel multiplex SRS imaging cytometry platform that enables detailed, label-free analysis of cellular metabolism and responses in cancer cells, surpassing traditional methods.

Findings

Identified lipid-facilitated protrusion as a metabolic marker for stress-resistant cancer cells

Demonstrated potential for targeting lipid metabolism in cancer therapy

Provided high-throughput, label-free cellular analysis capabilities

Abstract

In situ measurement of cellular metabolites is still a challenge in biology. Conventional methods, such as mass spectrometry or fluorescence microscopy, would either destruct the sample or introduce strong perturbations to the functions of target molecules. Here, we present multiplex stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging cytometry as a label-free single-cell analysis platform with chemical specifity, and high-throughput capabilities. Cellular compartments such as lipid droplets, endoplasmic reticulum, and nuclei are seperated from the cytoplasm. Based on these chemical segmentations, 260 features from both morphology and molecular composition were generated and analyzed for each cell. Using SRS imaging cytometry, we studied the metabolic responses of human pancreatic cancer cells under stress by starvation and chemotherapy drug treatments. We unveiled lipid-facilitated protrusion as a metabolic marker for stress-resistant cancer cells through statistical analysis of thousands of cells. Our findings also demonstrate the potential of targeting lipid metabolism for selective treatment of starvation-resistant and chemotherapy-resistant cancers. These results highlight our SRS imaging cytometry as a powerful label-free tool for biological discoveries with a high-throughput, high-content capacity.