Investigating the Metabolic Heterogeneity of Cancer Cells Using Functional Single-Cell Selection and nLC Combined with Multinozzle Emitter Mass Spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2024 Jan 16;96(2):624-629. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03688. Epub 2023 Dec 29.

Abstract

Tumor metastasis and cancer recurrence are often a result of cell heterogeneity, where specific subpopulations of tumor cells may be resistant to radio- or chemotherapy. To investigate this physiological and phenotypic diversity, single-cell metabolomics provides a powerful approach at the chemical level, where distinct lipid profiles can be found in different tumor cells. Here, we established a highly sensitive platform using nanoflow liquid chromatography (nLC) combined with multinozzle emitter electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for more in-depth metabolomics profiling. Our platform identified 15 and 17 lipids from individual osteosarcoma (U2OS) and glioblastoma (GBM) cells when analyzing single-cell samples. Additionally, we used the functional single-cell selection (fSCS) pipeline to analyze the subpopulations of cells with a DNA damage response (DDR) in U2OS cells and fast migration in GBM cells. Specifically, we observed a down-regulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in U2OS cells undergoing DDR, such as fatty acids FA 20:3; O2 and FA 17:4; O3. Furthermore, ceramides (Cer 38:0; O3) and triglycerides (TG 36:0) were found to be down-regulated in fast-migrating GBM cells compared to the slow-migrating subpopulation. These findings suggest the potential roles of these metabolites and/or lipids in the cellular behavior of the subpopulations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma*
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics / methods
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization* / methods
  • Triglycerides

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Triglycerides