Abstract 1631: A homogeneous assay system for discernment of proliferative, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic effects in culture

Abstract We describe a novel homogeneous cell-based assay developed for the quantitative detection of Ki-67 protein, a recognized marker of cell proliferation, utilizing Lumit™ immunoassay technology. This luminescent assay has been effectively multiplexed with a fluorescent measure of cell death, employing a cell-impermeant fluorogenic DNA dye. This multiplex allows for the clear distinction between antiproliferative activity and overt cytotoxicity in cell culture models. Through varying lytic conditions, we demonstrated effective cell lysis and detection of nuclear Ki-67 protein. Specifically, Lumit™ Lysis Buffer II provided efficient recovery of Ki-67 protein without compromising assay performance, including the requisite binding of labeled antibodies to the target protein. This assay exhibited excellent signal-to-background (up to 40-fold) and signal linearity (R² = 0. 99) in wildtype HeLa cells (~1000 to 80, 000/well), while the signal in Ki-67 knockout HeLa cells was comparable to the no-cell background, indicating excellent specificity for Ki-67 protein. Due to the unavailability of recombinant full-length Ki-67 protein, two different recombinant Ki-67 protein fragments were used to corroborate assay sensitivity of 1 pM Ki-67 protein. The assay's suitability for human Ki-67 protein detection, not mouse, was observed through further cell-based testing. The proliferation/cytotoxicity assay multiplex was validated in both suspension and adherent cell lines, as well as primary cell culture, detecting antiproliferative and proliferative responses. CDK4/6 inhibitors are a class of antiproliferative agents of significant interest for their potential in treating cancer. In Jurkat cells, treatment with the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib led to a dose-dependent reduction in Ki-67 protein expression with an EC50 of 88 nM, and total Ki-67 elimination at 2 μM compound concentration. Notably, there was no cytotoxicity detected at the tested doses and treatment duration (up to 48 h), but a significant reduction in viable cell number at maximal palbociclib concentrations, aligning with an antiproliferative mechanism. This work establishes a rapid, simple, luminescent assay for determining Ki-67 levels that can be paired with a fluorogenic readout of cell death, facilitating efficient and quantitative discernment of altered proliferation in mammalian cell culture using standard microplate readers. Citation Format: Dan F. Lazar, Kevin R. Kupcho, Andrew L. Niles, James J. Cali. A homogeneous assay system for discernment of proliferative, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic effects in culture abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts) ; 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84 (6Suppl): Abstract nr 1631.