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Immunolocalization of a subnucleolar nucleoprotein complex containing RNA polymerase 1 in ascites hepatoma cells using monoclonal antibodies.

We have isolated a discrete subnucleolar macromolecular nucleoprotein complex by direct treatment of Novikoff ascites hepatoma nucleoli by MspI restriction digestion. Using a monoclonal antibody made against the subnucleolar nucleoprotein complex that was shown to inhibit RNA polymerase (pol) 1 activity in vitro, we localized an Mr approximately 55,000 protein subunit which was demonstrated previously by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting to share epitopes with the RNA pol 1 moiety of the subnucleolar complex. By indirect immunofluorescence the distribution of the Mr approximately 55,000 component of the subnucleolar nucleoprotein complex was examined at various phases of the cell cycle. At prophase, it was localized in large (approximately 1.5 microns in diameter) ball-like structures associated with the nuclear periphery and nuclear peripheral chromatin, suggesting that these structures might be related to preribosomal elements. After chromatin condensation and the pairing of daughter chromosomes, the large ball-like spheres increased in size and were associated with propidium iodide staining at one side of the nucleus; whereas throughout and especially at the opposite side of the nucleus, smaller, round, punctate structures of approximately 0.5 micron in diameter were visibly labeled that were not associated with propidium iodide staining. At later stages of the cell cycle, these small round structures were again associated with propidium iodide staining, suggesting that they may be related to prenucleolar and/or preribosomal elements which would likely contain the appropriate nucleic acid in association with RNA pol 1 and cofactors of RNA pol 1.

Animals↗

Fluorescent organophosphates: novel probes for studying aging-induced conformational changes in inhibited acetylcholinesterase and for localization of cholinesterase in nervous tissue.

Aging of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by certain organophosphates such as diisopropylfluorophosphate apparently involves dealkylation of the bound organophosphoryl moiety; this renders the inactive enzyme resistant to reactivation by quaternary oximes such as 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide (2-PAM) which are used in therapy of organophosphate intoxication. The fluorescent pyrenyl organophosphates synthesized in this study were designed to detect putative conformational changes which might explain this resistance. The following inhibitors: 1-pyrenebutyl phosphorodichloride (PBPDC), 1-pyrenebutyl ethylphosphorochloridate (PBEPC), and 1-pyrenebutyl ethylphosphorofluoridate (PBEPF), react specifically with purified electric eel AChE (ki = 10(6)-10(7) M-1 min-1). AChE inhibited by PBEPC and PBEPF was readily reactivated by 2-PAM, while enzyme inhibited PBPDC could not be reactivated. Conjugates were prepared of both PBEPC and PBPDC with AChE, each containing one molecule of florophore per catalytic subunit. Thus two stoichiometric conjugates, PBEP-AChE (non-aged) and POBP-AChE (aged), were obtained. The two complexes exhibited identical absorption spectra, but differed in their steady-state fluorescence spectra. Although the wave-lenths of the excitation and emission spectra were similar, the pyrene fluorescence of the non-aged conjugate was ca. 50% quenched relative to the aged conjugate. Nanosecond fluorescence decay studies revealed two principal lifetime components of pyrene fluorescence. Both were longer for the aged (PBP-AChE) than for the non-aged (PBEP-AChE) conjugate and revealed a ca. 50% lower quantum yield for the non-aged as compared to the aged conjugate. A possible interpretation for these results is that in the aged conjugate the organophosphoryl moiety is less acessible to the external medium. Measurement of quenching of pyrene fluorescence in the aged and non-aged conjugates by the peripheral anionic site ligand propidium also indicated marked conformational differences between the two conjugates, and circular polarization of luminescence measurements revealed that propidium itself induced a substantial conformational change in both conjugates. Fluorescence lifetime measurements revealed that whereas propidium had little effect on the decay parameters for the non-aged conjugate it caused a decrease in lifetime and in relative quantum yield for the aged conjugate. PBEPF virtually eliminated cholinesterase activity in dissociated cord and brain cultures. Fluorescence microscopy reveals fine green fluorescent grains distinctly located throughout many neurons and glia. Labelling is much more pronounced in larger and older neurons. No specific fluorescence could be detected in cultures preincubated with nonfluorescent organophosphates.

Animals↗

Delayed protection by MK-801 and tetrodotoxin in a rat organotypic hippocampal culture model of ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The hippocampus demonstrates a regional pattern of vulnerability to ischemic injury that depends on its characteristic differentiation and intrinsic connections. We now describe a model of ischemic injury using organotypic hippocampal culture, which preserves the anatomic differentiation of the hippocampus in long-term tissue culture. METHODS: Ischemic conditions were modeled by metabolic inhibition. Cultures were briefly exposed to potassium cyanide to block oxidative phosphorylation and 2-deoxyglucose to block glycolysis. The fluorescent dye propidium iodide was used to observe membrane damage in living cultures during recovery. RESULTS: 2-Deoxyglucose/potassium cyanide incubation resulted in dose-dependent, regionally selective neuronal injury in CA1 and the dentate hilus, which began slowly after 2 to 6 hours of recovery. Subsequent histological examination of cultures after 1 to 7 days of recovery demonstrated neuronal pyknosis that was correlated with the early, direct observation of membrane damage with propidium. Both propidium staining and histological degeneration were prevented by the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 when administered 30 minutes after the end of the exposure to 2-deoxyglucose and potassium cyanide. Tetrodotoxin, which blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, had protective effects that were greatest during the period of 2-deoxyglucose and potassium cyanide incubation but also produced protection against the mildest conditions of metabolic inhibition when administered after 30 minutes of recovery. CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro model reproduced elements of the time course, regional vulnerability, and pharmacologic sensitivities of in vivo ischemic hippocampal injury. Inhibition of metabolism in organotypic culture provides a rapid, easily controlled injury and reproduces the in vitro pattern of hippocampal regional vulnerability to ischemia. It is the first in vitro model of ischemia to exhibit complete protection by delayed administration of an NMDA receptor antagonist during recovery from a brief insult. The protective effects of tetrodotoxin suggest that an early period of sodium entry into cells during and after ATP depletion may be responsible for the more prolonged period of toxic NMDA receptor activation.

Animals↗

Stretch-induced injury of cultured neuronal, glial, and endothelial cells. Effect of polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is abundant evidence that after in vivo traumatic brain injury, oxygen radicals contribute to changes in cerebrovascular structure and function; however, the cellular source of these oxygen radicals is not clear. The purpose of these experiments was to use a newly developed in vitro tissue culture model to elucidate the effect of strain, or stretch, on neuronal, glial, and endothelial cells and to determine the effect of the free radical scavenger polyethylene glycol-conjugated superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD; pegorgotein, Dismutec) on the response of each cell type to trauma. METHODS: Rat brain astrocytes, neuronal plus glial cells, and aortic endothelial cells were grown in cell culture wells with 2-mm-thick silastic membrane bottoms. A controllable, 50-millisecond pressure pulse was used to transiently deform the silastic membrane and thus stretch the cells. Injury was assessed by quantifying the number of cells that took up the normally cell-impermeable dye propidium iodide. Some cultures were pretreated with 100 to 300 U/mL PEG-SOD. RESULTS: Increasing degrees of deformation produced increased cell injury in astrocytes, neuronal plus glial cultures, and aortic endothelial cells. By 24 hours after injury, all cultures showed evidence of repair as demonstrated by cells regaining their capacity to exclude propidium iodide. Compared with astrocytes or neuronal plus glial cultures, endothelial cells were much more resistant to stretch-induced injury and more quickly regained their capacity to exclude propidium iodide. PEG-SOD had no effect on the neuronal or glial response to injury but reduced immediate posttraumatic endothelial cell dye uptake by 51%. CONCLUSIONS: These studies further document the utility of the model for studying cell injury and repair and further support the vascular endothelial cell as a site of free radical generation and radical-mediated injury. On the assumption that, like aortic endothelial cells, stretch-injured cerebral endothelial cells also produce oxygen radicals, our results further suggest the endothelial cell as a site of therapeutic action of free radical scavengers after traumatic brain injury.

Animals↗

Ventilator-induced cell wounding and repair in the intact lung.

We tested the hypothesis that cells of ventilator-injured lungs are subject to reversible plasma membrane stress failure. Rat lungs were perfused with the membrane impermeable fluorescent marker propidium iodide and randomized to one of four ventilation strategies. Subpleural lung regions were imaged with confocal microscopy, and cell injury was quantified as the number of propidium iodide-positive cells per alveolus. The number of injured cells was significantly greater in lungs ventilated with large tidal volumes and zero end-expiratory pressure than in lungs ventilated with small tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure (p < 0.01). Cell injury correlated with lung weight gain, change in dynamic compliance, and histologic injury scores. In a second set of experiments, lungs were mechanically ventilated for 30 minutes at high tidal volume settings, whereas propidium iodide was perfused either during or after injurious ventilation. Labeling after removal of injurious stress revealed significantly fewer injured cells (0.25 +/- 0.09 to 0.08 +/- 0.08, p < 0.01). We conclude that cells of ventilator-injured lungs are subject to reversible plasma membrane stress failure.

Animals↗

Hypercapnic acidosis impairs plasma membrane wound resealing in ventilator-injured lungs.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on lung cell injury and repair by confocal microscopy in a model of ventilator-induced lung injury. Three groups of normocapnic, hypocapnic, and hypercapnic rat lungs were perfused ex vivo, either during or after injurious ventilation, with a solution containing the membrane-impermeant label propidium iodide. In lungs labeled during injurious ventilation, propidium iodide fluorescence identifies all cells with plasma membrane wounds, both permanent and transient, whereas in lungs labeled after injurious ventilation propidium iodide fluorescence identifies only cells with permanent plasma membrane wounds. Hypercapnia minimized the adverse effects of high-volume ventilation on vascular barrier function, whereas hypocapnia had the opposite effect. Despite CO2-dependent differences in lung mechanics and edema the number of injured subpleural cells per alveolus was similar in the three groups (0.48 +/- 0.34 versus 0.51 +/- 0.19 versus 0.43 +/- 0.20 for hypocapnia, normocapnia, and hypercapnia, respectively). However, compared with normocapnia the probability of wound repair was significantly reduced in hypercapnic lungs (63 versus 38%; p < 0.02). This finding was subsequently confirmed in alveolar epithelial cell scratch models. The potential relevance of these observations for lung inflammation and remodeling after mechanical injury is discussed.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗

Ganciclovir and penciclovir, but not acyclovir, induce apoptosis in herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase-transformed baby hamster kidney cells.

The efficacies of ganciclovir (GCV), penciclovir (PCV) and acyclovir (ACV) in inducing cell death in the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVTK) system were compared. HSVTK-transformed baby hamster kidney cells treated with GCV, PCV or ACV were monitored for growth by viable count, and for death by TUNEL assay, propidium iodide staining, detection of phosphatidyl serine translocation and detection of DNA laddering. All compounds delayed growth or reduced viability of HSVTK-transformed cells. Drug treatment reduced levels of cyclin B1 message (which normally peaks in G2/M-phase of the cell cycle) and induced a four- to fivefold upregulation of GADD45 message. Treatment with GCV or PCV induced rapid accumulation of cells in S-phase and apoptotic death. Treatment with ACV, however, was associated with sustained S-phase arrest. GCV (and to a lesser extent PCV) increased phosphatidyl serine translocation, induced positive TUNEL results with alterations in cell morphology, caused marked propidium iodide staining and induced DNA laddering. By contrast, up to 7 days' exposure to ACV did not induce DNA laddering, with very little TUNEL staining. ACV treatment had little effect on phosphatidyl serine translocation and propidium iodide staining was markedly reduced compared with treatment with the other compounds. Thus, by all criteria, GCV was the most potent inducer of cell death. The current theories regarding apoptosis or necrosis as the preferred form of cell death in prodrug gene therapy are considered and the suitability of PCV or ACV as potential alternatives to GCV in the HSVTK system is discussed.

Acyclovir↗

Evidence for alternative pathways of granulosa cell death in healthy and slightly atretic bovine antral follicles.

Granulosa cell death is an early feature of atresia; however, there are many apparent contradictions in the literature concerning the mode of granulosa cell death. We have therefore examined this process in bovine healthy and atretic antral follicles, using a variety of established techniques. Light and electron microscopic observations indicated the presence of pyknotic or shrunken nuclei in both the membrana granulosa and the antrum. In the membrana granulosa, these nuclei were frequently crescent shaped and uniformly electron dense and were approximately the same size as healthy nuclei, all of which are typical of early apoptosis. However, these nuclei were within the membranes of a healthy granulosa cell, suggesting that phagocytosis by a neighboring granulosa cell is an unusually early event in the apoptotic pathway of granulosa cells. In the membrana granulosa, pyknotic nuclei stained intensely with hematoxylin but weakly with the DNA-intercalating stain propidium iodide. A percentage of these pyknotic nuclei stained by TUNEL (terminal deoxy-UTP nick end-labeling). However, in the antrum, the pyknotic nuclei and larger globules of DNA stained intensely with both hematoxylin and propidium iodide, but were not TUNEL positive. The comet assay of cell death produced a streak tail of randomly nicked DNA, rather than the plume of low mol wt apoptotic DNA. Globules collected from fresh follicular fluid stained intensely with propidium iodide and were shown by PAGE to contain DNA, the majority of which was high mol wt. In conclusion, granulosa cells within the membrana granulosa die by apoptosis, with phagocytosis by a neighboring cell preceding any potential budding of the nucleus or cell itself. Granulosa cells near the antrum are sloughed off into the antrum, and their death has features more consistent with that of other cell types that undergo death as a result of terminal differentiation.

Animals↗

Cell death of AKR-2B fibroblasts after serum removal: a process between apoptosis and necrosis.

AKR-2B cells disintegrate after serum removal. After a delay of approximately 90 minutes, cell death began and reached after six hours a plateau of 40-50% remaining living cells. We used time-lapse video microscopy to monitor dynamic structural changes and to measure the time span of individual cells to die. The first change was the rapid appearance of membrane blebs. Membrane vesicles were rapidly extruded and reintegrated by the cell. This highly dynamic process of an affected cell stopped after 80+/-20 minutes with its death. Conductivity measurements showed that at that time the membrane was electrically permeable. By using fluorescence double staining with propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258, we show that membrane leakage leading to disintegration is accompanied, and for some cells preceded, by nuclear condensation. The energy state of the intact cells was monitored by measuring the intracellular ATP content which remained high (6 mM) throughout the entire time of investigation. Mitochondrial potential was determined by rhodamine 123 fluorescence in parallel to the measurement of membrane permeability via uptake of propidium iodide and lead to the detection of a cell population that exhibits a high mitochondrial potential and an uptake of propidium iodide indicating a membrane disruption of cells which still have a high energy charge. It is shown by electron microscopy that mitochondria were swollen and damaged in parallel to nuclear condensation. There was no DNA fragmentation as shown by two independent methods. Addition of the ICE-like protease inhibitor tyr-val-ala-asp-chloromethylketone immediately after serum starvation lead to an almost complete survival of the cells up to 6 hours. A pronounced protection was still observed after 24 hours, suggesting an involvement of this type of protease in the onset of cell death after serum removal. Apparently, serum withdrawal activates a succession of initial events that are similar to those defined as 'apoptosis', i.e. nuclear condensation and membrane blebbing. These steps are, however, accompanied or rapidly followed by cell lysis and disruption of mitochondria, both of which are characteristic of necrosis.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Validation of flow cytometry for assessment of viability and acrosomal integrity of dog spermatozoa and for evaluation of different methods of cryopreservation.

The aims of the present study were: (i) to validate the accuracy of flow cytometry for assessment of viability and acrosomal status of canine spermatozoa; and (ii) to evaluate the cryopreservation protocols currently used for dog spermatozoa using flow cytometry. Data obtained by flow cytometry analysis of fresh dog spermatozoa stained with carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) and propidium iodide, or with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) and propidium iodide, were compared with those obtained by microscopic evaluation. The results demonstrated that flow cytometry is a precise method for evaluating the viability and acrosomal status of fresh samples of dog semen. A new triple staining procedure, using carboxy-SNARF-1, propidium iodide and FITC-PSA, was developed and was an efficient method for evaluating the following aspects of cryopreservation protocols for dog spermatozoa: (i) addition of 0.5% (v/v) Equex STM paste to a Tris-egg yolk-based extender; (ii) dilution of the semen in one or two steps; (iii) freezing semen by placing 0.5 ml straws horizontally above liquid nitrogen in a styrofoam box or lowering them vertically into a liquid nitrogen tank; (iv) thawing semen at two different rates; (v) packaging semen at different sperm concentrations; and (vi) diluting semen at different rates after thawing. The highest sperm survival and longevity was obtained when Equex was present in the semen extender, the semen dilution was performed in two steps to obtain a concentration of 2.0 x 10(8) spermatozoa ml-1, the freezing was carried out using the styrofoam box, the straws were thawed at 70 degrees C for 8 s and the semen was diluted 1:4 after thawing.

Acrosome↗

Importance of cooling rate and animal variability for boar sperm cryopreservation: insights from the cryomicroscope.

A series of experiments was set up to investigate the effect of different cooling rates on boar sperm cryosurvival using cryomicroscopy. The cooling protocols were split into two stages: (i) from +5 degrees C to -5 degrees C and (ii) from -5 degrees C to -50 degrees C. Fluorescent probes (SYBR14 and propidium iodide) were used to monitor plasma membrane integrity during the entire process. Cooling rates in the range 3 degrees C min(-1) to 12 degrees C min(-1) did not cause significant damage to the sperm plasma membrane between +5 degrees C and -5 degrees C; however, spermatozoa cooled at 24 degrees C min(-1) to -5 degrees C were slightly damaged. Motility was not particularly sensitive to variations in cooling rate. Cooling rates in the range 15 degrees C min(-1) to 60 degrees C min(-1) did not produce differences in sperm cryosurvival during freezing between -5 degrees C and -50 degrees C, or after thawing. In addition, cooling rates in the range 3 degrees C min(-1) to 80 degrees C min(-1) did not produce significant differences in sperm cryosurvival. However, slow freezing (3 degrees C min(-1)) induced a slight increase in the percentage of plasma membrane-damaged spermatozoa (propidium iodide-positive) at -50 degrees C. Inter-ejaculate and inter-boar differences in sperm cryosurvival were manifested independently of cooling rate. The sperm plasma membrane remained intact (SYBR14-positive) during cooling and freezing, but upon rewarming, the plasma membrane of a high proportion of spermatozoa was damaged (propidium iodide-positive), indicating that rewarming is a critical step of the freezing-thawing process.

Analysis of Variance↗

Cyclins D1, E, A expression and synergistic cytotoxicity to a cholangiocarcinoma cell line from recombinant TNF-alpha and PHA supernate.

We studied the cytotoxic effects of recombinant TNF-alpha and supernate of phytohemagglutinin stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells individually and in combination against a cholangiocarcinoma cell line. Levels of cyclins D1, E and A in the cell line were detected by immunoblotting, and the cell cycle stage was assayed by propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry analysis. Viable and apoptotic cells were assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion, DAPI staining, agarose DNA laddering and propidium iodide staining. At the beginning of each experiment, the majority of cholangiocarcinoma cells expressed cyclin A and were in S phase as determined by propidium iodide staining. Treatment of such cells with recombinant TNF-alpha resulted in cytotoxic effects clearly evident at 36 hours post exposure. There was a synergistic killing effect when recombinant TNF-alpha was combined with PHA supernate and this effect could be partly neutralized by monoclonal anti TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12 and IFN-gamma.

Adult↗

Cell cycle effects of CB30865, a lipophilic quinazoline-based analogue of the antifolate thymidylate synthase inhibitor ICI 198583 with an undefined mechanism of action.

CB30865 (p-[N-(7-bromo-3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-6-ylmethyl+ ++)-N-(prop-2-ynyl)amino]-N-(3-pyridylmethyl)benzamide) is a quinazoline-based pyridine-containing compound that emerged from a programme aimed at the development of thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitors as anticancer agents. Its structure is based on the antifolate ICI 198583, but with a pyridine ring replacing the glutamate. Despite its structure, CB30865 does not act in vitro via inhibition of TS or, apparently, other known folate-dependent pathways, and extensive mechanistic studies suggest that it acts via a novel locus with respect to conventional antitumour agents. However, CB30865 is highly potent against a variety of human tumour cell lines (e.g., 50%-inhibitory concentration [IC50] values in the 1-10 nM range). Thus, the cell cycle effects of CB30865 were investigated. DNA histogram analysis of W1L2 human lymphoblastoid, L1210 murine leukaemia, and CH1 human ovarian cells (propidium iodide staining) has demonstrated that CB30865 does not cause a phase-specific arrest at concentrations that have been shown to inhibit colony formation. This is unexpected for an anticancer agent. In W1L2 cells, using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) labelling and bivariate Hoechst/ propidium iodide staining, it was revealed that 0.003-0.15 microM CB30865 (1-50 x 72 h IC50) caused cells to arrest in all phases of the cell cycle simultaneously after 20-24 h exposure. This effect was also observed in CH1 and L1210 cells, though the arrest was at slightly different times. Thus, using this technique, it has been demonstrated that CB30865 induces an unusual and delayed cell cycle arrest, which provides further evidence for a novel locus of action for this compound.

Animals↗

Introducing specific antibodies into electropermeabilized cells is a valuable tool for eliminating specific cell functions.

A technique is established for the role of intracellular proteins to be eliminated and thereby gives information about their specific role in signal transduction within cells. Rat pancreatic islets as well as INS-1 cells (an insulin secreting cell line) were electrically permeabilized in order to introduce high molecular weight compounds. Optimized conditions were five exposures with 15-s intervals, tau = 200 ms, an electric field of 1.36 kV per 0.4 cm in a specific permeabilization buffer at a calculated Ca++ concentration of 5 x 10(-8) M. In electroporation control experiments the spectrophotometrically measured uptake of the cell membrane-impermeable propidium iodide, FITC-labelled dextran (MW approximately 4000) and FITC-labelled antibodies (MW approximately 150,000) was established as being 81.5 +/- 5.0, 82.7 +/- 3.0 and 81.0 +/- 1.0 per cent of maximum, respectively. These data were corroborated qualitatively by visualizing microscopically the fluorescence of the FITC-labelled compounds in islets as well as in INS-1 cells. The cells appear to reseal since control experiments indicated a short-lived outflow of lactate dehydrogenase (MW of 140,000 which is similar to that of antibodies) and of insulin for the first 15-20 min. After electroporation the cells were functionally intact, i.e. responded to the stimulus carbachol (CCh). Only 18.0 +/- 10.1 per cent of cells had not resealed after 2 h (propidium iodide uptake measured at various time intervals after electroporation). As was shown recently the effect of specific compounds such as CCh and CCK8 on insulin release was eliminated selectively by antibodies against specific G proteins thus proving this method to be a valuable tool. In conclusion, adding antibodies to electrically permeabilized cells is a valuable tool for eliminating a specific cell function in order to elucidate the specific role of intracellular compounds. This method can probably be used for testing the specific role of other proteins in cell functions.

Animals↗

Simplified method for DNA and protein staining of human hematopoietic cell samples.

A rapid reproducible method yielding high resolution analysis of DNA and protein in human hematopoietic cell samples has been developed by modification of the propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocyanate procedure. Cell staining involves sequential addition of each reagent (RNase, fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide) to ethanol-fixed cells and requires no centrifugation steps. Stained cells are analyzed in the reagent solutions. Analysis of bone marrow samples from multiple myeloma patients showed mixed normal and aneuploid populations with a major portion of the aneuploid cells having a significantly higher protein content. This approach permitted differential cell cycle analysis of normal and the aneuploid populations.

Cell Cycle↗

Preparation and stability of sixteen murine tissues and organs for flow cytometric cell cycle analysis.

Three different technical protocols were used to prepare samples for flow cytometric (FCM) analysis. Each protocol developed worked best for only certain organs. Protocol I involved mincing small pieces of fresh tissue in the propidium iodide (PI) staining solution and filtering through packed glass wool. The organs that were prepared by protocol I were: submandibular gland, urinary bladder, liver, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lung, kidney and testis. Protocol II involved exposure of the organ to 0.5% acetic acid for 48 h prior to mincing in the PI. The organs that were prepared by protocol II were: uterus, rectum, colon, ileum, and heart. Protocol III utilized an exposure to 0.5% acetic acid, pepsinization, and then staining with PI. The tissues that were prepared by protocol III were the epithelium of the anterior surface of the cornea and the epithelium of the surface of the tongue. A total of 16 different organs and tissues were successfully prepared. For each organ, averaged DNA histograms were analyzed by nonparametric and parametric programs and the results (phase fractions) are presented in tabular form. Several of the organs used came from animals exposed to 1.0 mg/kg vincristine (VC) for 5-6 h to test the capability of the different protocols to detect the enlargement of the G2 + M compartment by the accumulation of VC-arrested mitotic figures. The stability of the many different sample preparations was tested by comparing averaged DNA histograms obtained on the day of sample preparation to averaged DNA histograms of the same set of samples after storage at 4 degrees C, with or without fixation in 10% phosphate-buffered formalin, for days to weeks. After staining with propidium iodide, fixation of the sample with a final concentration of 2-3% phosphate-buffered formalin, was the procedure adopted to assure sample stability. The demonstration of sample stability permits sample preparation to occur at one site followed by transport of the samples to the FCM laboratory at another geographical location. The major findings of this work were a) technical protocols were developed which resulted in acceptable nuclear suspensions for FCM from 16 different murine organs or tissues, b) the stability of these samples can be assured by fixing the PI stained nuclear suspension with formalin, and c) each different protocol was capable of detecting and preserving at least some of the mitotic figures arrested and collected by vincristine.

Acetates↗

Direct and indirect flow cytometric enumeration of 6-thioguanine-resistant human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Methods based on flow cytometry and sorting, autoradiography, and cloning were used to evaluate the potential for the enumeration of 6-thioguanine-resistant human peripheral blood lymphocytes assumed to be deficient with respect to the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyl-transferase. Flow cytometric sorting of proliferating cells in the late S- and the G2-stages by means of DNA content, as measured by propidium iodide fluorescence, enabled an enrichment of variant cells to about 99%. The main source of false events was contaminating doublets of G0/G1 cells appearing in the sorting region. Doublet discrimination measured as the difference between pulse height and area (Ortho-50) accomplished no further improvement. A combination of propidium iodide fluorescence and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, measured by fluorescent anti-bromodeoxyuridine-DNA antibodies, allowed flow cytometric enrichment to about 99.99% of variant cells. By sorting of 3H-thymidine-labeled cell nuclei from the late S- and the G2-phases and subsequent autoradiographic evaluation, partly resistant variants could be discriminated; variant frequencies of the same magnitude as for the cell cloning methods were obtained.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Flow cytometric detection of mitotic cells using the bromodeoxyuridine/DNA technique in combination with 90 degrees and forward scatter measurements.

Mitotic cells could be well discriminated from the cells in the G1-, S- and G2-phases of the cell cycle using pulse labeling of S-phase cells with bromodeoxy-uridine (BrdUrd) and staining of the cells for incorporated BrdUrd and total DNA content. Unlabeled G2- and M-phase cells could be measured as two separate peaks according to propidium iodide fluorescence. M-phase cells showed lower propidium iodide fluorescence emission compared to G2-phase cells. The fluorescence difference of M- and G2-phase cells was caused by the different thermal denaturation of their DNA. Best separation of M- and G2-phase cells was obtained after 30-50 min heat treatment at 95 degrees C. Mitotic index could be measured if no unlabeled S-phase cells were present in the cell culture. With additional measurements of 90 degree scatter and/or forward scatter signals, mitotic cells could be clearly discriminated from both unlabeled G2- and S-phase cells. The correct discrimination (about 99%) of mitotic cells from interphase cells was verified by visual analysis of the nuclear morphology after selective sorting. Unlabeled and labeled mitotic cells could be observed as pulse-labeled cells progressed through the cell cycle. We conclude that this modified BrdUrd/DNA technique using prolonged thermal denaturation and the simultaneous measurement of scatter signals may offer additional information especially in the presence of BrdUrd-unlabeled S-phase cells.

Animals↗