In the second episode of our series on phenotyping with Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw and our Scientific Consulting Sales Manager, Regan Baird, learn how to make sense of multiplex data with phenotyping. Find out how to classify individual cells in tissue based on biomarker panels and why this is crucial for personalized therapeutic approaches in oncology. Discover the challenges of interpreting multiplex data, the use of machine learning-based auto-clustering, and the importance of software in visualizing and handling generated data. Stay tuned for the next episode where we’ll discuss considerations when choosing an image analysis software program for phenotyping.

• Let us know what you think of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover in the future by sending us an email at: podcasts@visiopharm.com

Cancer immunotherapy, or immuno-oncology, harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer. Scientists are using tissue image analysis with digital pathology and whole slide imaging to detect and quantify the multiple processes and immune cell populations involved in tumor immunology. Join Dr Aleksandra Zuraw and Prof Elfriede Noessner in this episode as they explain the complexities of the immune system and its role in curing cancer, and the role of tissue image analysis in the process.

• Let us know what you think of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover in the future by sending us an email at: podcasts@visiopharm.com

In this 18-minute webinar, James presents Phenoplex™, a new workflow solution from Visiopharm for all multiplex image analysis requirements. He outlines the various workflow steps, which efficiently evaluate spatial biology assays with 8-40 or more biomarkers. With its interactive evaluation tools, it enables the extraction of more information from each cell and its relationships.

• • How pre-trained deep learning-based cell detection for DAPI or IMCTM stains accurately, robustly, and flexibly identifies cells.

• • The two workflows for phenotyping multiplex and highplex images

• • How to validate your results using interactive plots that link each data point with the underlying cell

James R. Mansfield, Senior Vice President, Research Business Development, Visiopharm

James R. Mansfield, a scientist with 30+ years of experience, including 15 in multiplex pathology and immune cell phenotyping. He is SVP of Research Business Development at Visiopharm, focused on their strategy for multiplex image analysis. Previously, he was Scientific Director at Magnetic Insight Inc, a start-up in magnetic particle imaging technology. He also held senior positions at Cambridge Research & Instrumentation, Inc (CRi) and PerkinElmer, where he played a key role in commercializing multispectral imaging for pathology.

David Mason from Visiopharm spoke at Lunaphore’s Spatial Biology Week on an automated image analysis pipeline for high plex sequential immunofluorescent images. The challenges with this type of data include multiple platforms, unsatisfactory cell detection using traditional intensity-based approaches, and lack of confidence in results. David will use Lunaphore’s data sets, including a 22 Plex plus DPI tissue microarray, to demonstrate how Visiopharm can address these challenges in analyzing complex data sets.

• • A guided bi-directional workflow designed specifically for setting phenotypes with continuous quality control and result review.

• • Powerful pre-trained applications for detecting nuclei in multiplex immunofluorescence and imaging mass cytometry.

• • User-friendly channel management tools for quality control of images and review of biomarker localization. Group your channels of interest into meaningful 7-color groups for easy switching between panels.

• • An advanced interactive toolbox for data exploration and quality control, including t-SNE, scatter plots, and box plots.

David Mason, Senior Technical Specialist, Visiopharm

Dave Mason is a senior technical specialist in image analysis, supporting Visiopharm’s UK and European sales team. He has a background in cell biology and microbiology and has spent over a decade in academia, specializing in light microscopy and digital image analysis.

The high mortality rate of COVID-19 is largely due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). Additionally, severe cases of COVID-19 often result in a cytokine storm and a disrupted adaptive immune response. Most previous studies on this issue have focused on the peripheral cell count and the functionality of immune cells.

The team at UK Augsburg in Germany used multiplexed immunofluorescence to study the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on antigen-presenting cells. Like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 appears to impair the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which is characterized by a switch in surface antigen expression. This switch enables the cells to travel to lymph nodes and activate T-cells.

To shed light on the local inflammatory infiltrate, the team compared the cell populations of professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the lungs of COVID-19 autopsy cases in various stages of DAD. They found an increased number of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) in later stages, but with no significant upregulation of maturation markers in DAD specimens with high viral load. This accumulation of immature mDCs, which are unable to reach lymph nodes, results in an inadequate T-cell response.

Overall, this study highlights the need for further research to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the immune system and to develop more effective treatments for COVID-19Discover how the team employed digital analysis of multiplex IF images to gain insights into the unique immune profile in fatal COVID-19 cases. Investigate the potential impacts of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviridae on antigen-presenting cells. Learn about the role played by the UKA in COVID-19 autopsies.

• • Experience how the team used digital analysis of multiplex IF images to learn more about the specific immune landscape in fatal COVID cases

• • Explore the possible effects of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviridae on antigen presenting cells

• • Understand the role of the UKA in COVID-19 autopsies

Prof Ralf Huss, University Hospital Augsburg

Ralf Huss, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Pathology and the Managing Deputy Director of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics at the University Hospital in Augsburg, Germany. He is also the head of the Center for Digital Medicine.

Huss holds board certifications in anatomical, experimental, and molecular pathology and boasts over 30 years of expertise in histopathology, immunology, cancer research, and oncology.

Lukas Borcherding, Medical Student, Technical University of Munich

Lukas Borcherding is a trained nurse who has been pursuing a degree in medicine at the Technical University of Munich, Germany since 2015. In 2020-2021, he took a hiatus from his studies to concentrate on the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the unique immune profile in fatal cases. Following the completion of his project, Lukas has resumed his studies and is presently finishing the practical component of his education. Upon receiving his license, he intends to work in internal medicine.