ABSTRACT
The simplest and perhaps most commonly used method for measuring intercellular aggregation is direct observation with a microscope. Dual-fluorescence flow cytometry offers major improvements in the technology for measuring intercellular aggregation, especially in cases where conjugates between different types of cells are formed. In order to detect intercellular aggregation, cell A is labeled with a red fluorophore and cell B with a green one. In order to measure cell-cell interactions by dual-fluorescence flow cytometry, the interaction cell types must first be stained with fluorophores which are readily distinguishable from one another by the cytometer. An important question concerning the measurement of multicellular aggregates by flow cytometry is whether the shear forces generated by the flow system of the cytometer are sufficient to disaggregate conjugates. Dual fluorescence-flow cytometry has been used mainly to measure cell-cell interactions in the immune system, especially those involving the interaction of cytotoxic cells with various types of target cells.
