Inmunofenotipificación

Inmunofenotipificación is a laboratory technique used to identify and characterize cells based on the presence or absence of specific molecules, called antigens, on their surface or within them. These antigens are typically proteins or carbohydrates that act as markers, unique to certain cell types or states. The process involves using antibodies, which are proteins that can bind specifically to these antigens.

In a typical immunofenotipificación procedure, a sample of cells, such as blood or tissue, is incubated with a cocktail of fluorescently labeled antibodies. Each antibody is designed to bind to a particular antigen. After incubation, the cells are passed through a flow cytometer or analyzed using microscopy. The flow cytometer measures the fluorescence emitted by each cell as it passes through a laser beam. The intensity and color of the fluorescence indicate which antibodies have bound to the cell, thereby revealing its immunophenotype.

This technique is invaluable in various medical and research fields. In hematology and oncology, it is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring leukemias and lymphomas, as well as for identifying and quantifying different types of white blood cells in conditions like immunodeficiency. It also plays a role in transplant medicine for tissue matching and in immunology for studying immune cell populations and their activation status. By providing a detailed profile of cell populations, immunofenotipificación aids in understanding disease mechanisms and guiding therapeutic decisions.