Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells

In the recurrence of cancer and autoimmune diseases, cellular senescence, a state where cells cease division, plays a pivotal role. Distinguishing the senescence requires a combination of multiple markers. Fluorescent dyes incorporation limits the imaging observation time due to the potential toxici...

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Main Authors: Mazaya Najmina, Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya, Satoshi Ishii, Koichiro Uto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27660400.2025.2525061
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author Mazaya Najmina
Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya
Satoshi Ishii
Koichiro Uto
author_facet Mazaya Najmina
Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya
Satoshi Ishii
Koichiro Uto
author_sort Mazaya Najmina
collection DOAJ
description In the recurrence of cancer and autoimmune diseases, cellular senescence, a state where cells cease division, plays a pivotal role. Distinguishing the senescence requires a combination of multiple markers. Fluorescent dyes incorporation limits the imaging observation time due to the potential toxicity of those compounds over prolonged exposure, while colorimetric dye incorporation requires cell fixation, where cells are not in native state, and long staining time (≥4 hours). One of the distinct characteristics that distinguishes senescent cells from other state of cells is the impaired protein degradation ability by the lysosome, resulting on the protein accumulation. In the current work, we take advantage of protein accumulation to distinguish senescence cells from other cells. The protein concentration is visualized by recording the phase difference using the quantitative phase microscopy (QPM). Our live QPM observations on breast cancer cells confirm that senescent cells exhibit a higher refractive index compared to cells in normal growth and quiescent states, attributed to the accumulation of undigested lysosomal protein cargo. This heightened refractive index suggests an imbalance in protein turnover rates within senescent cells. These findings shed light on a potential label-free non-invasive approach for a prolonged monitoring of senescent cell dynamics.
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series Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods
spelling doaj-art-4de30a2127d8485cab8f44c9f43c7d7b2025-08-20T03:12:48ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScience and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods2766-04002025-12-015110.1080/27660400.2025.2525061Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cellsMazaya Najmina0Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya1Satoshi Ishii2Koichiro Uto3Research Center of Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, JapanSubprogram in Materials Science and Engineering Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, JapanSubprogram in Materials Science and Engineering Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, JapanResearch Center of Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, JapanIn the recurrence of cancer and autoimmune diseases, cellular senescence, a state where cells cease division, plays a pivotal role. Distinguishing the senescence requires a combination of multiple markers. Fluorescent dyes incorporation limits the imaging observation time due to the potential toxicity of those compounds over prolonged exposure, while colorimetric dye incorporation requires cell fixation, where cells are not in native state, and long staining time (≥4 hours). One of the distinct characteristics that distinguishes senescent cells from other state of cells is the impaired protein degradation ability by the lysosome, resulting on the protein accumulation. In the current work, we take advantage of protein accumulation to distinguish senescence cells from other cells. The protein concentration is visualized by recording the phase difference using the quantitative phase microscopy (QPM). Our live QPM observations on breast cancer cells confirm that senescent cells exhibit a higher refractive index compared to cells in normal growth and quiescent states, attributed to the accumulation of undigested lysosomal protein cargo. This heightened refractive index suggests an imbalance in protein turnover rates within senescent cells. These findings shed light on a potential label-free non-invasive approach for a prolonged monitoring of senescent cell dynamics.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27660400.2025.2525061Growth arrestlabel-free detectionsenescencequantitative phase microscopeprotein concentration
spellingShingle Mazaya Najmina
Nicholaus Kevin Tanjaya
Satoshi Ishii
Koichiro Uto
Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells
Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods
Growth arrest
label-free detection
senescence
quantitative phase microscope
protein concentration
title Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells
title_full Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells
title_fullStr Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells
title_full_unstemmed Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells
title_short Label-free classification of growth-arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative-treated cells
title_sort label free classification of growth arrested state of cells by quantitative phase microscopy in fixative treated cells
topic Growth arrest
label-free detection
senescence
quantitative phase microscope
protein concentration
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27660400.2025.2525061
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AT satoshiishii labelfreeclassificationofgrowtharrestedstateofcellsbyquantitativephasemicroscopyinfixativetreatedcells
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