Counting growth factors in single cells with infrared quantum dots to measure discrete stimulation distributions.

ABSTRACT: The distribution of single-cell properties across a population of cells can be measured using diverse tools, but no technology directly quantifies the biochemical stimulation events regulating these properties. Here we report digital counting of growth factors in single cells using fluorescent quantum dots and calibrated three-dimensional deconvolution microscopy (QDC-3DM) to reveal physiologically relevant cell stimulation distributions. We calibrate the fluorescence intensities of individual compact quantum dots labeled with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and demonstrate the necessity of near-infrared emission to overcome intrinsic cellular autofluoresence at the single-molecule level. When applied to human triple-negative breast cancer cells, we observe proportionality between stimulatio

SUBMITTER: Le P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6385258 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature