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Two optimized combination assays to examine apoptosis pathways in clinical samples
Author(s) -
Hollier Mark,
Whistler Toni,
Dawson Carolyn,
Ver Suzanne D.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cytometry part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.316
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1552-4930
pISSN - 1552-4922
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.a.20422
Subject(s) - apoptosis , phosphatidylserine , flow cytometry , dna fragmentation , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , biology , cytometry , caspase , cell , programmed cell death , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , biochemistry , in vitro , phospholipid , membrane
Abstract Background: A consequence of a number of diseases is an alteration in apoptosis. Currently, there is no single assay that measures the main stages of apoptosis, requiring that multiple assays be performed. This hinders studies on clinical samples that have limited cell numbers. Our objective was to combine and optimize assays that target specific stages of apoptosis for use in a typical clinical blood sample. Methods: Two flow cytometric assays were developed for use on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected in two 8‐ml tubes from a single draw. One measures caspase‐12 activity, the level of active caspase‐3 and DNA fragmentation. The second assesses depolarization of the mitochondria and phosphatidylserine externalization. Cell populations present within the samples were determined by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was validated by ELISA. Results: Each assay was optimized for use with cell numbers and sample volumes typical of clinical blood samples. Each combination assay effectively distinguished apoptotic from nonapoptotic blood cells. Conclusions: This combined optimized method comprised of two independent assays makes it possible to assay the major pathways of apoptosis in addition to determining the blood cell subsets that are affected. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.