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Method Article
* Wspomniani autorzy wnieśli do projektu równy wkład.
Here we describe a protocol for multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemical staining and imaging for the simultaneous localization of multiple cancer-associated antigens in lymphoma. This protocol can be extended to the colocalization analysis of biomarkers within all tissue sections.
Immunohistochemical (IHC) methods for the in-situ analysis of protein expression by light microscopy are a powerful tool for both research and diagnostic purposes. However, the visualization and quantification of multiple antigens in a single tissue section using conventional chromogenic IHC is challenging. Multiplexed imaging is especially relevant in lymphoma research and diagnostics, where markers have to be interpreted in the context of a complex tumor microenvironment. Here we describe a protocol for multiplexed fluorescent IHC staining to enable the quantitative assessment of multiple targets in specific cell types of interest in lymphoma.The method covers aspects of antibody validation, antibody optimization, the multiplex optimization with markers of lymphoma subtypes, the staining of tissue microarray (TMA) slides, and the scanning of the slides, followed by data analysis, with specific reference to lymphoma. Using this method, scores for both the mean intensity of a marker of interest and the percentage positivity are generated to facilitate further quantitative analysis. Multiplexing minimizes sample utilization and provides spatial information for each marker of interest.
Lymphoid neoplasms are caused by the uncontrolled malignant proliferation of lymphocytes. These cells are vital components of the immune system and localize to the primary and secondary immune organs, such as the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and other mucosa-associated lymphoid system. Lymphoid neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of disorders who are classified based on a constellation of features, including morphology, immunophenotype, genetic features, and clinical presentation. While each parameter plays a part, lineage remains a defining feature and forms the basis for the WHO classification system which recognizes neoplasms derived from B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells1.
Key to the classification of lymphoma has been the characterization of the antibodies against leukocyte surface markers of the various subtypes of lymphocytes2. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been traditionally used for the analysis of such markers and is based on the principle of the specific antigen-antibody recognition to detect cell- and tissue-based molecules that can be visualized through the light microscope3. However, the identification of multiple targets on a single slide by conventional bright-field chromogenic multiplex IHC has limitations because it is often difficult to distinguish multiple color signals on a single tissue section reliably—especially for antigens with a very low expression4. Visual assessment and quantification of staining can also be subjective, causing variability in the analysis and data interpretation5.
Therefore, conventional IHC on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples is not feasible for the simultaneous detection of multiple targets in immunologically diverse diseases like lymphoma. Furthermore, distinguishing neoplastic lymphocytes from the surrounding immune cells is often imprecise. This hinders studies looking at the relevance of novel biomarkers in lymphoma. In this context, multiplex fluorescent IHC (mf-IHC) offers a promising alternative as it allows the quantitative assessment of antigen coexpression and a spatial relationship with higher precision while conserving limited samples6,7. When this imaging technology is partnered with the digital image analysis software, the data interpretation is made more efficient and facilitates the study of tumor and microenvironment heterogeneity8,9. In this protocol, a tyramide-based immunofluorescence (IF) multiplexing method is applied to amplify the signal and is compatible with any IHC-validated antibody from any host species, even those developed in the same species5,7,10. The tyramide-based protocol allows for the direct conjugation of the fluorophore to the tissue of interest so that the primary and secondary antibody can be stripped after each step, allowing for the sequential application of multiple stains without antibody cross-reactivity.
A multiplexed strategy will be useful for predicting prognosis and treatment outcomes by identifying targets and their variant immunologic patterns in lymphomas. Multiplex fluorescent IHC has been applied in our lab for the study of a panel of T and B lymphocyte markers and T-follicular helper markers in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a subtype of a peripheral T-cell lymphoma characterized by aggressive clinical behavior and tumor heterogeneity11. The utility of this method is also illustrated in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) where the increased signaling of a B-cell receptor with simultaneous C-MYC and BCL-2 expression suggests the potential therapeutic use of Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibition12.
Here we describe the entire protocol from antibody validation to the selection of appropriate control tissues and multiplexing using lymphoma FFPE tissues, with an eventual analysis of stained slides using a scanning automated quantitative pathology imaging system.
All tissues used in this protocol were obtained under the Singapore NHG Domain Specific Review Board B study 2014/00693.
1. Selection and Validation of Antibodies
NOTE: Before proceeding with the establishment of any multiplexed panel, ensure that all antibodies stain robustly, identifying only the target antigen of interest. The aim is to select antibodies that specifically recognize the antigen of interest in tissue sections.
2. Planning the Sequence of Antibodies and Fluorophores for the Multiplex Panel
3. Monoplex Tyramide-based IF in a Simulated 5-plex Multiplex Panel
NOTE: In this example, the protocol for CD20 is discussed, which is planned as the fourth antibody in a multiplex sequence described above. The number of additional stripping steps will differ for the position of the antibody in the sequence.
4. Repetition of the Monoplex for Each Antibody in the Multiplex Protocol
5. Multiplex Staining Protocol
NOTE: Proceed with the multiplex staining protocol only after all the components have been optimized using monoplex IF staining. Review the results of the monoplex staining and design a table showing the final layout of the order of multiplex and the choice of fluorophore for each antibody. The details of antibody concentration, the duration of staining, and the sequence and nature of heat retrieval for each antibody used here is provided in Table 1.
6. Preparation of Spectral Library Slides
NOTE: Sections 6 - 8 of this protocol are unique to multiplexed experiments that are imaged using a spectral camera.
7. Spectral Imaging
8. Data Analysis
mf-IHC images for a DLBCL sample with C-MYC and BCL2 gene rearrangement (double-hit lymphoma) are shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates the simulated bright-field immunohistochemical images. Figure 3 indicates the generation of percentage data. Figure 4 displays the details of a median formula for the generation of numeric data. Figure 5 s...
mf-IHC has the potential to enable pathologists to refine diagnosticcriteria in lymphoid pathology and to analyze the role of biomarkers in specific cell types toward a prediction of clinical outcome. As a new research method, mf-IHC is increasingly applied to the quantitative and spatial identification of multiple immune parameters of tumor cells17. The detection of mf-IHC for the co-expression of tumor biomarkers has been shown to be reproducible and reliable5. However, t...
A.D.J. has received funding from PerkinElmer toward travel to user-group meetings. The authors have no other conflict of interest to disclose.
S.-B.N. and A.D.J. are supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council Transition Awards (NMRC/TA/0020/2013 and NMRC/TA/0052/2016). The authors acknowledge a Yong Siew Yoon Research Grant to A.D.J. from the National University Cancer Institute of Singapore toward the purchase of a Vectra spectral imaging microscope. This study is approved by the Singapore NHG Domain Specific Review Board B (2014/00693).
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Antibody diluent | DAKO | REF S3022 | Blocking |
Peroxidase Blocking Solution | DAKO | S2023 | For peroxide blocking |
Vectra multispectral automated microscope | Perkin Elmer | Vectra2.0.8 | Spectral imaging |
absolute Ethanol | EMSURE | 1.00983.2500 | Ethyl alcohol for rehydration |
Amplification Diluent | PERKIN ELMER | FP1135 | Fluorophore diluent buffer |
Anti-Mouse IgG [Goat] HRP-Labeled | PERKIN ELMER | NEF822001EA | Secondary antibody |
Anti-Rabbit IgG [Goat] HRP-Labeled | PERKIN ELMER | NEF812001EA | Secondary antibody |
BCL2 | DAKO | clone 124 ( Lot No. 20031561)(RRID-AB578693) | primary antibody |
BCL6 | LEICA | NCL-L-Bcl6-564(Lot No.6050438)(RRID-AB563429) | primary antibody |
CD20 | DAKO | Clone L26 (Lot No.20028627) (RRID-AB442055) | primary antibody |
c-MYC | ABCAM | Y 69 clone ab32072 (Lot NO.GR29511133)(RRID-AB731658) | primary antibody |
Cy 5 | PERKIN ELMER | FP1171 | Appropriate tyramide based fluorescent reagent |
Graphpad Prism 7 | Graph pad | Statisitcal software | |
HistoClear Clearing Agent | SIGMA | H2779-1L | Histoclear for dewaxing and clearing |
inForm Advanced Image Analysis Software | Perkin Elmer | Inform Software 2.2.1 | Data Analysis software |
KI67 | DAKO | Clone MIB-1 (Lot No.20040401) (RRID-AB2314699) | primary antibody |
KOS MILESTONE multifunctional tissue processor | Milestone | Microwave for Heat induced epitope retrieval | |
Microwave | PANASONIC | NN-ST651M | Microwave stripping |
Mowiol | SIGMA ALDRICH | 81381 Aldrich Mowiol® 4-88 | mounting media |
Opal 570 | PERKIN ELMER | FP1488 | Appropriate tyramide based fluorescent reagent |
Opal520 | PERKIN ELMER | FP1487B21 | Appropriate tyramide based fluorescent reagent |
Opal540 | PERKIN ELMER | FP1494 | Appropriate tyramide based fluorescent reagent |
Opal620 | PERKIN ELMER | FP1495 | Appropriate tyramide based fluorescent reagent |
Poly-L-lysine coated slide | FISHER SCIENTIFIC | 120-550-15 | Slide for tissue section adhesion in routine histological use |
Spectral DAPI | PERKIN ELMER | FP1490 | nucleic acid stain |
Target Retrieval Solution, pH9.0(10x) | DAKO | S2367 | For HIER |
Tris Buffer saline (TBS) | 1st BASE | BUF3030 20X4L | for buffer wash |
Tween 20 | SIGMA ALDRICH | P1379-1L | Tween |
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