Lipid profiling of mammalian cells with in situ matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry

The analysis of cellular lipids and phospholipids has been of continuously increasing research interest due to the importance of these molecules in psychological process. In this work, a mass spectrometry-based method for direct, in situ analysis of lipids in cells was reported. Mammalian cells were directly cultured on ITO-coated glass and then analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The matrix application process was achieved by electrospray coating, which produced a homogenous layer of matrix crystal on the sample. The detection results and reproducibility are satisfactory. With this method, a profile of abundant membrane lipids is generated, which is characteristic of cell type. In conclusion, this in situ MALDI-MS cellular lipid analysis method provides a platform for sensitive and robust molecular profiling of mammalian cells.