Advancing Lung Toxicology: The Future of High Content Image Analysis

The heterogeneity of cells in populations caused by cell-to-cell variation makes it necessary to analyze single cells and this will allow one to discover hidden mechanisms not seen in bulk samples. Average population analysis is not sensitive enough for cellular responses in many instances.

At ImmuONE, we are experts in high content screening and developing single cell multiplexing assays with a broad relevance for all industries. Our assays combine safety with efficacy/mechanism, including multiple endpoints in one assay to reduce cost and time.

The Limitations of Current Models

Animal models have long been the cornerstone of safety testing, but they frequently fall short in predicting human responses accurately. This leads to inefficiencies and delays in the development of safer and more effective products.

In vitro assessments are improving but many assays only provide broad endpoints, such as cell viability, without capturing the nuanced cellular changes or immune responses critical for comprehensive safety evaluations. These assays are particularly limited in assessing long-term effects and immunotoxicity, essential factors in developing new drugs and consumer products.

Bridging the Gap with High Content Image Analysis (HCIA)

ImmuONE’s ImmuSCREEN technology integrates multiple endpoints into a single assay. This innovative approach combines high content imaging with biochemical and functional assessments, providing detailed cellular morphology analysis. This is especially crucial for immune cells, where morphological changes can predict cellular responses, emulating in vivo data endpoints and enhancing the relevance and accuracy of in vitro assays.

Our current assays, including morph_ONE and lipid_ONE, are designed to integrate toxicity, mechanism of action, and efficacy assessments. These standardized protocols, optimized for adherent cells via our In Cell Analyser and Imagestream, are now more accessible and cost-effective than ever before.

Overcoming Barriers to Adoption

Historically, the commercial adoption of high content imaging has been hindered by the need for high technical expertise, significant upfront costs, and the lack of standardized, easily replicable assays. ImmuONE’s novel multiplexing approach addresses these challenges by developing a reference set of stains and assays that can be mixed and matched to answer key toxicity and efficacy questions.

By standardizing assays and leveraging the Imagestream platform, we have reduced assay development costs and time, making high content imaging more accessible to a broader range of clients, from biotech startups to large multinationals.