Spectral compensation for flow cytometry: Visualization artifacts, limitations, and caveats

Abstract

There are inescapable errors arising from imperfect measurements, photon-counting statistics, and even data storage methods that contribute both linearly and nonlinearly to a "spreading" of a properly compensated autofluorescence distribution. This phenomenon precludes the use of "quadrant" statistics or gates to analyze affected data; it also precludes visual adjustment of compensation. Most importantly, it is impossible to properly compensate data using standard visual graphical interfaces (histograms or dot plots). Computer-assisted compensation is required, as well as careful gating and experimental design to determine the distinction between positive and negative events. Finally, the use of special staining controls that employ all reagents except for the one of interest (termed fluorescence minus one, or "FMO" controls) becomes necessary to accurately identify expressing cells in the fully stained sample.