A single-cell maturation process analysis under cell-to-cell interacting system by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

A single cell MALDI-TOF/MS assay was developed to analyse the cell maturation process under cell to cell interaction. Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells were seeded on a confluent cell layer of cultured mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. These two types of cells have molecular communication and the mast cells will be matured to contain many micro-granules which accumulate histamine. The cell was observed by the video microscope for checking the maturation process and was selected and micro-sucked Into a capillary pipette to set it on the sample plate. The mass spectrum of the single cell was measured and show many peaks in the range of 100 to 800 m/z . The height of histamine peak was increased according to the cell maturation with time staying on the fibroblast cell layer. The combination of video microscopic observation and the single-cell MALDI-TOF/MS is shown to be useful for the analysis of molecular cell dynamism.