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Ölander M, Handin N, Artursson P
Anal. Chem. 91 (9) 5548-5552 [2019-05-07; online 2019-04-25]
Apoptosis is a controlled form of cell death that can be induced by various diseases and exogenous toxicants. Common apoptosis-detection methods rely on fluorescent markers, which necessitate the use of costly reagents and time-consuming labeling procedures. Label-free methods avoid these problems, but often require specialized instruments instead. Here, we utilize apoptotic-cell disintegration to develop a novel label-free detection method based on the quantification of subcellular debris particles in bright-field-microscopy images. Debris counts show strong correlations with fluorescence-based annexin V staining and can be used to study concentration-dependent and temporal apoptosis activation. The method is rapid, low-cost, and easy to apply, as the only experimental step comprises bright-field imaging of culture-media samples followed by automated image processing. The late-stage nature of the debris measurement means that the method can complement other, established apoptosis assays, and its accessibility will allow a wider community of researchers to study apoptotic cell death.
PubMed 31001971
DOI 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01243
Crossref 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01243