An improved high-output cell microarray technology

Aims: Cell microarray (CMA) is a high-throughput scientific research tool, which has greatly accelerated many analyses based at the cellular level. However, there are few described methods for constructing CMAs. Here, we introduce a new, simple, high-output CMA method that is applicable to a broad range of cellular samples.

Methods: In this method, a recipient block (length, 3.6 cm; width, 2.7 cm; depth, 2 cm) with 40 dot markers was moulded using a transparent plastic box. Adenocarcinoma cells were collected from malignant pleural effusions, cell cylinders were moulded with plastic piping and the cylinders were manually arrayed one by one into the corresponding location of the 60 °C pre-softened recipient block using the guide holes drilled with a steel needle. We constructed a 40-cylinder CMA to prove this method. The expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) in the CMA was examined to confirm antigen preservation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation was screened for in five samples.

Results: The CMA prepared by this method had well-defined array configurations, good cellular morphology and well-preserved proteins and DNA. A total of 1000 sections could be easily gained from this CMA block.

Conclusions: This simple and low-cost method provides a novel way of preparing a high-output CMA.