Quantitative phase deformability cytometry (QP-DC) for precise and clinically relevant multiparametric immune cell profiling

Kim, K.; OConnell, E. N.; Schauer, C.; Schoen, J.; Shim, J.; Mayerle, F.; Radler, P.; Lebhardt, P.; Kraeter, M.; Rech, J.; Langejuergen, J.; Herrmann, M.; Guck, J.

doi:10.1101/2025.10.27.684875

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.10.27.684875

Quantitative phase deformability cytometry (QP-DC) for precise and clinically relevant multiparametric immune cell profiling

Kim, K.·OConnell, E. N.·Schauer, C.·Schoen, J.·Shim, J.·Mayerle, F.·Radler, P.·Lebhardt, P.·Kraeter, M.·Rech, J.·Langejuergen, J.·Herrmann, M.·Guck, J.

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Abstract

Imaging flow cytometry enables the detailed analysis of cell morphology and internal structures through high-throughput cell imaging, and quantitative phase imaging (QPI)-based microfluidic approaches have extended this by providing label-free measures such as dry mass and refractive index (RI). Building on these developments, we present quantitative phase deformability cytometry (QP-DC), which integrates QPI with deformability cytometry to simultaneously measure morphology, mechanics, and intrinsic biophysical parameters such as mass density and dry mass. Numerical refocusing ensures in-focus images independent of axial position, improving precision in contour detection and feature extraction. Using microspheres and whole blood, we validated QP-DC and then applied it to neutrophils under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). QP-DC revealed LPS-induced reductions in neutrophil mass density and identified heterogeneous subpopulations in SLE. These results demonstrate the capability of QP-DC for precise biophysical and mechanical characterization, offering significant potential for research and clinical diagnostics.

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Kim, K., OConnell, E. N., Schauer, C., Schoen, J., Shim, J., Mayerle, F., Radler, P., Lebhardt, P., Kraeter, M., Rech, J., Langejuergen, J., Herrmann, M., Guck, J.. 2025-10-28. Quantitative phase deformability cytometry (QP-DC) for precise and clinically relevant multiparametric immune cell profiling. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.27.684875

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