Multi-Channel Cellytics for Rapid and Cost-Effective Leukocyte Activation Monitoring

Morphological changes in white blood cells (WBCs) are valuable markers of disease and immune response. This study introduces a multi-channel Lens-free Shadow Imaging Technology (LSIT) device for rapid, cost-effective leukocyte analysis. Device performance was optimized by evaluating micro-pinhole chip parameters, with etched pinholes demonstrating superior image quality and sharpness compared to drilled pinholes. Using an activation stimulator cocktail (ASC), WBC activation was induced, and resulting morphological changes were quantified using shadow parameters, including peak-to-peak distance (PPD) and maxima-to-minima standard deviation (MMD-SD). A novel leukocyte activation parameter (LAP) was developed to measure these activation-induced changes comprehensively. Results showed that ASC-stimulated WBCs exhibited increased PPD and LAP values and decreased MMD-SD, consistent with flow cytometry findings. These results highlight the potential of LSIT and LAP for rapid and accurate assessment of leukocyte activation, offering a valuable tool for clinical diagnostics and immunological research.