Dysregulation of epidermal and dermal immune cells can lead to inflammation and skin disorders like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Injection site reactions or rashes are common in clinical trials, making monitoring skin responses crucial for tailored drug development and identifying adverse effects. Flow cytometry effectively detects and quantifies multiple immune cell subpopulations. Here, we present a method for isolating and analyzing immune cells from human skin, including T cells, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, and innate immune cells, based on enzymatic and mechanical tissue breakdown followed by flow cytometry. Additionally, spatial transcriptomics enhance understanding by providing spatially resolved gene expression data, precisely localizing immune cell subpopulations. By integrating flow cytometric analysis and spatial transcriptomics into clinical studies, researchers can achieve an accurate assessment of immune responses, ultimately aiding in the development of safer and more effective therapies tailored to individual immune cell profiles.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the methodology for isolating and analyzing skin immune cells using flow cytometry and evaluate its clinical applications.
Upon completion, participants will be able to explain the impact of long-term tissue storage on immune cell isolation, including potential alterations in cell viability, functionality, and immune cell composition..
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the methodology for spatial transcriptomic using the Geomx platform from Nanostring.
