Analysis of radiation‐induced apoptosis in human lymphocytes: Flow cytometry using Annexin V and propidium iodide versus the neutral comet assay
- 17 April 2002
- Vol. 48 (1), 14-19
- https://doi.org/10.1002/cyto.10098
Abstract
Background The neutral comet assay was devised to measure double‐stranded DNA breaks, but it has also been used to measure apoptosis based on its characteristic DNA fragmentation patterns. There is still uncertainty about the reliability of this method. By comparing the comet assay with a flow cytometry method that uses Annexin V binding to apoptotic cells, we have provided further evidence for evaluating the usefulness of the comet assay for detecting apoptosis. Methods Apoptosis was induced in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by ionizing radiation and measured using the comet assay and a flow cytometry method that measures Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Results The Annexin V flow cytometry assay distinguished among early apoptosis, late apoptosis, and an apoptotic or necrotic phase in which the cells were labeled with both Annexin V and PI. The comet assay detected only the latter two phases of apoptosis. Conclusions The comet assay is a useful tool for measuring the late stages of apoptosis whereas the Annexin V assay measures higher amounts of apoptosis because it can detect cells in an earlier stage of the apoptotic pathway. Cytometry 48:14–19, 2002.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF CYTOKINE PRODUCTION AND APOPTOSIS IN VENIPUNCTURE AND FINGER-STAB DERIVED BLOOD CULTURESCytokine, 2001
- Limitations of the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay to monitor apoptosis in U937 and HepG2 cells exposed to 7β-hydroxycholesterolBiochemical Pharmacology, 2001
- Comet assay: rapid processing of multiple samplesMutation Research - Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 2000
- High Intensity Exercise: A Cause of Lymphocyte Apoptosis?Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1998
- Technical Report Flow cytometry as a quantitative and sensitive method to evaluate low dose radiation induced apoptosis in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytesInternational Journal of Radiation Biology, 1997
- Radiation-Induced Apoptosis in Human LymphocytesHealth Physics, 1996
- A novel assay for apoptosis Flow cytometric detection of phosphatidylserine expression on early apoptotic cells using fluorescein labelled Annexin VJournal of Immunological Methods, 1995
- Apoptosis and the regulation of cell numbers in normal and neoplastic tissues: an overviewCancer and Metastasis Reviews, 1992
- Internucleosomal DNA Cleavage Should not be the Sole Criterion for Identifying ApoptosisInternational Journal of Radiation Biology, 1992
- Non-random cell killing in cryopreservation: Implications for performance of the battery of leukocyte tests (BLT), I. Toxic and immunotoxic effectsMutation Research/Environmental Mutagenesis and Related Subjects, 1991