Exploring the Biomedical Potential of MXenes in Macrophage Phenotype Identification and Tracking

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Presentation Time: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Poster Board Number: B951
Abstract ID: 5822

Presenting Author:
Giorgia Longo , PhD student at Univ. degli Studi di Padova, Med. Col. of Georgia, Augusta Univ.

Abstract:

Macrophages are innate immune cells with varying phenotypes and functions that are influenced by their microenvironment. The distinction between the classical M1 and M2 phenotypes has been crucial in understanding their involvement in inflammation. Recently single-cell technologies have revealed a complex range of macrophage activation states, each contributing differently to maintaining physiological balance and affecting the development and progression of diseases. Identifying the origins and function of these macrophage subsets remains a complex challenge. MXenes, a category of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, show promise in the biomedical field owing to their notable features, such as biocompatibility. MXenes' unique chemical properties allow for their detection at the single-cell and tissue level using mass cytometry (CyTOF), which shows great promise for biomedical applications. We found that MXenes can be internalized by myeloid cell precursors, monocytes, and macrophages without affecting their survival or differentiation. Early evaluations of MXenes uptake by immune cells have shown their detectability even after 30 minutes of incubation, attributable to their chemistry and impressive signal-to-noise ratio at CyTOF. These characteristics position MXenes as effective tools for precise single-cell labeling and in vivo monitoring of monocyte-derived macrophage phenotypes across various tissues and in response to specific stimuli or diseases.