FISH-Flow, a protocol for the concurrent detection of mRNA and protein in single cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization and flow cytometry

Nat Protoc. 2017 Jun;12(6):1245-1260. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2017.039. Epub 2017 May 18.

Abstract

We describe a flow-cytometry-based protocol for intracellular mRNA measurements in nonadherent mammalian cells using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes. The method, which we call FISH-Flow, allows for high-throughput multiparametric measurements of gene expression, a task that was not feasible with earlier, microscopy-based approaches. The FISH-Flow protocol involves cell fixation, permeabilization and hybridization with a set of fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes. In this protocol, surface and intracellular protein markers can also be stained with fluorescently labeled antibodies for simultaneous protein and mRNA measurement. Moreover, a semiautomated, single-tube version of the protocol can be performed with a commercially available cell-wash device that reduces cell loss, operator time and interoperator variability. It takes ∼30 h to perform this protocol. An example of FISH-Flow measurements of cytokine mRNA induction by ex vivo stimulation of primed T cells with specific antigens is described.

MeSH terms

  • Automation, Laboratory / methods
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / chemistry
  • Proteins / analysis*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*

Substances

  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger