Monochromatic gating method by flow cytometry for high purity monocyte analysis

Background: Assays of antigen expression on myeloid cells have an underlying premise that the assay integrates high purity gating of the leukocyte subpopulation in question. While CD45/side scatter (SSC) gating provides sufficient gating purity for qualitative assays of antigen expression; it is unsuitable for quantitative assays of antigen changes, especially monocytes. We have validated a monochromatic gating approach combining CD45 and CD64 labeled with the same fluorochrome that allows for high purity monocyte gating. Methods: Twenty‐five blood samples were stained using three different antibody combinations (CD45 FITC + CD163 PE; CD45 FITC + CD64 PE; CD45 FITC + CD64 FITC). Data analysis focused on the percentage of “monocytes” defined by the various antibody and SSC gating combinations. Results: Percent monocyte recovered by monochromatic CD64 gating was not statistically different from two‐color CD45 + CD64 or CD45 + CD163 gating. All three methods of immunologic monocyte identification yielded a 12.93%–15.15% reduction in the “monocyte” percentage compared to CD45/SSC gating. Conclusions: A monochromatic combination of CD45 and CD64 antibodies with scatter signals allows higher purity monocyte gating by flow cytometry (FC) compared to CD45/SSC gating. This approach allows for the development of a high resolution four‐color assay, such as for detection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, whereby a single four‐color tube will allow simultaneous high purity monocyte (CD64+) and neutrophil (CD15+) analysis of both phosphatidylinositol (PI) linked protein expression and FLAER binding. © 2013 International Clinical Cytometry Society