Single-cell multi-element analysis reveals element distribution pattern in human sperm

Abstract

Multiple elements in human sperm have been demonstrated to play significant roles in the reproductive process, but their simultaneous detection in single cells remains challenging. We propose a novel analytical...

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…Signal intensity was still a limiting factor although this can be expected to improve as more sensitive instruments become available. Tian et al 104 also utilised the scICP-TOF-MS approach to achieve simultaneous determination of multiple elements in individual human sperm cells. A full mass spectrum was acquired for each cell, however, data analysis was only performed for selected essential and non-essential elements, believed to be important in sperm cells.…”

“…Non-targeted multielement analysis in a single sperm cell was achieved using single cell ICP-TOF-MS. 104 Complete mass spectra of pre-treated, dispersed sperm cells were obtained and datasets were interrogated by machine learning-based dimension reduction analysis. Data analysis was able to illustrate heterogeneity of each element within the sample and extract key information to create hierarchical clusters of elements based on their physiological role.…”

Bioconcentration of Inorganic and Methyl Mercury by Algae Revealed Using Dual-Mass Single-Cell ICP-MS with Double Isotope Tracers

“…This heterogeneity in Hg bioconcentration is submerged in the population-averaged results obtained by bulk analysis. The challenge has been met with single-cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (scICP-MS) for high-throughput and high-sensitivity quantification of the analyte elements on individual cells. − Besides, scICP-MS focusing on direct cell detection also largely prevents analytical errors and memory effects due to Hg adsorption. Conventional scICP-MS using quadrupole instruments can monitor only one mass-to-charge ( m / z ) ratio at a time.…”

“…Recently, some studies proposed the peak-hopping mode for the quasi-simultaneous detection of two m / z in one analytical run. ,, Such dual-mass scICP-MS is highly promising for isotopic applications at the single-cell level. Additionally, an emerging ICP-time-of-flight (TOF)-MS allowing full mass spectrum detection on single cells has been used to explore the associations among multiple cellular elements. ,,− …”

Single Cell–ICP–ToF-MS for the Multiplexed Determination of Proteins: Evaluation of the Cellular Stress Response

“…Single cell–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (sc-ICP-MS) is a promising technique for the study of endogenous elements in cells as well as specific biomolecules by using metal-labeled antibodies. , Additionally, a new generation of time-of-flight (ToF) mass analyzers has allowed for the simultaneous detection of several target analytes within single cells. − While works related to the analysis of human cells using sc-ICP-ToF-MS are scarce, examples can be found in the literature where this technique has been applied to elemental fingerprinting in algae, investigating metal uptake by yeast, and conducting multielement analysis in sperm . For protein analysis, the selection of the antibody (Ab) labels must offer the maximum possible sensitivity, as proteins are generally on the order of fg or ag per cell.…”