Non-invasive detection and differentiation of apoptotic and necroptotic cell death in vitro

Cell death plays an important role in the development of multicellular organisms and the maintenance of adult homeostasis. However, traditional methods of cell death detection can damage cells and tissues. Here, we report the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for non-invasively distinguishing between cell death types. We found a difference between normal, apoptotic, and necroptotic mouse dermal fibroblast cells in the wavelength range of 1100–1700 nm. In particular, the differences in scattering of NIR light between cells at different states are enough to be distinguished. This feature was exploited by measuring the attenuation coefficient (δμ), which specifies the ease at which light can pass through a substance. The results showed that δμ can be used to distinguish between different types of cell death. Therefore, this study proposes a new, non-invasive, and fast method to differentiate cell death types without the additional fluorescent labeling.