A novel technique to determine the cell type specific response within an in vitro co-culture model via multi-colour flow cytometry

Determination of the cell type specific response is essential towards understanding the cellular mechanisms associated with disease states as well as assessing cell-based targeting of effective therapeutic agents. Recently, there have been increased calls for advanced in vitro multi-cellular models that provide reliable and valuable tools correlative to in vivo. In this pursuit the ability to assess the cell type specific response is imperative. Herein, we report a novel approach towards resolving each specific cell type of a multi-cellular model representing the human lung epithelial tissue barrier via multi-colour flow cytometry (FACS). We proved via ≤ five-colour FACS that the manipulation of this in vitro model allowed each cell type to be resolved with no impact upon cell viability. Subsequently, four-colour FACS verified the ability to determine the biochemical effect (e.g. oxidative stress) of each specific cell type. This technique will be vital in gaining information upon cellular mechanics when using next-level, multi-cellular in vitro strategies.