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Multiparametric analysis of cell membrane permeability by two colour flow cytometry with complementary fluorescent probes.

We describe an improved twin-probe multiparameter flow cytometric technique to examine cell membrane permeability. Ability to retain preloaded intracellular bis-carboxyethyl carboxy fluorescein (BCECF, green fluorescence) and to exclude extracellular propidium (red fluorescence) is measured, simultaneously with forward and right-angle scatter. This has significant advantages over an earlier method using fluorescein together with ethidium. In addition to the two expected cell populations which were stained green positive, red negative (by convention membrane "intact" and "viable," Region 1) and green negative, red positive ("membrane-damaged" and "non-viable," Region 3), a third population was seen which fluoresced neither green nor red and displayed intermediate light scatter characteristics (Region 2). This was true for each of 9 cell types in vitro. For EMT6 mouse mammary tumour cells held under sub-optimal conditions or treated with membrane-active drugs, progression from Region 1 to Region 2 was observed, followed by further progression from Region 2 to Region 3. Cells eventually accumulated in Region 3. These results suggest that sequential changes in membrane structure lead to increased permeability, first with respect to intracellular BCECF and in turn to extracellular propidium.

Animals↗

DNA stainability in aneuploid breast tumors: comparison of four DNA fluorochromes differing in binding properties.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not the differences in chromatin structure between diploid stromal cells or lymphocytes, which are often used as DNA ploidy standard, and aneuploid breast tumor cells can significantly affect the estimates of the DNA index of these tumors. To this end, the DNA content estimates of 34 aneuploid breast tumors, differing in size, degree of differentiation, and presence or absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors and metastases, were compared using four common DNA fluorochromes: DAPI, Hoechst 33342, propidium iodide, and acridine orange. These dyes differ in their mode of interaction with DNA (binding to minor groove or intercalation) and for each of them binding to DNA is restricted to a different degree by nuclear proteins. It was expected, therefore, that if differences in chromatin structure play a role in DNA content estimates, the DNA index of the measured tumors may vary depending on the dye. The cell nuclei were isolated from the tumors using a detergent-based procedure and stained with each of the dyes and the DNA index was estimated using peripheral blood lymphocytes as a DNA content standard. For each of the tumors, the DNA index estimates with all four dyes correlated very well. When the results obtained with individual dyes were compared in pairs, the correlation coefficients (r) of DNA indices were all above 0.96 (correlation at p less than 0.001). The best concordance was seen between specimens stained with Hoechst 33342 and DAPI (r = 0.99), and the least between those stained with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide (r = 0.96). The data indicate that DNA content analysis of unfixed nuclei, utilizing the above fluorochromes, is not significantly biased by differences in chromatin structure of the measured cells.

Acridine Orange↗

Sequential paraformaldehyde and methanol fixation for simultaneous flow cytometric analysis of DNA, cell surface proteins, and intracellular proteins.

A cell fixation and permeabilization procedure consisting of sequential paraformaldehyde and methanol was evaluated and found suitable for concomitant flow cytometric quantification of total cellular DNA, immunofluorescence measurements of cell surface proteins, and immunofluorescence measurements of intracellular proteins. Paraformaldehyde/methanol-fixed cells exhibited significantly greater intracellular antitubulin immunofluorescence than cells fixed with paraformaldehyde or methanol alone (p less than 0.002) and significantly greater intracellular antitubulin immunofluorescence than cells fixed with methanol followed by paraformaldehyde (p less than 0.006). With paraformaldehyde/methanol fixation, cell morphology was well preserved and forward and right angle light scatter properties were sufficiently well maintained to permit gating on these parameters. Cell surface marker staining with fluorescent anti-leukocyte antibodies was unaffected by fixation with paraformaldehyde/methanol. Paraformaldehyde effects on the intensity of DNA staining with propidium iodide were dependent on paraformaldehyde concentration and fixation temperature; these effects were least pronounced at low paraformaldehyde concentrations (0.25% or less), and at temperatures lower than 37 degrees C. Paraformaldehyde fixation may result in differences in propidium iodide staining of DNA in some diploid cells, which may produce small spurious aneuploid peaks in normal peripheral blood leukocytes. Paraformaldehyde fixation also produces an apparent increase in the DNA index of aneuploid cell populations in comparison with methanol fixation, particularly when the DNA index exceeds 1.5. Occasionally, this paraformaldehyde fixation-induced effect is useful in identifying biologically distinct near-diploid subpopulations in tumors.

Aneuploidy↗

Photo-bleaching and photon saturation in flow cytometry.

In flow cytometry, small particles travel at a high speed through a bright light spot. The high light intensity at the point of measurement causes measurable photon saturation. This observation indicates that the rate at which individual dye molecules emit photons is close to the maximum emission rate. Despite the short exposure time, individual molecules may go through a few hundred excitation cycles while they are in the light beam. The absorbed light dose causes significant dye destruction. This article presents experimental procedures to determine the extent of photon saturation and photo-bleaching of dyes bound to cell nuclei in a flow cytometer. Measurements of Hoechst and propidium iodide bound to chromatin show that the amount of dye bleached per emitted photon is the same at low and high illumination intensities. This finding indicates that photon emission and dye destruction are both the result of the absorption of single excitation photons. The experimental observations allow rough estimates of the lifetime of the excited state and the lifetime of the molecule. The lifetime of the Hoechst 33258 bound to DNA is estimated to be 100 excitation-relaxation cycles. The average propidium iodide molecule lasts approximately 200 excitation-relaxation cycles. The theoretical considerations show that the optimal illumination conditions are different for bleaching and nonbleaching dyes. An optical arrangement for high precision measurements of bleaching dyes is presented.

Animals↗

Isolation of high quality mRNA from a discrete cell cycle population identified using a nonvital dye and fluorescence activated sorting.

Flow cytometry (FCM) is useful for measuring DNA content as related to cell cycle position. We have extended this technology by developing a method that measures cellular DNA content using propidium iodide after permeabilization with lysolecithin. This technique maintains cell integrity such that high quality mRNA can be isolated from a sorted population. Unfixed MDA-468 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, were temporarily permeabilized with lysolecithin. A range of lysolecithin concentrations were studied in order to optimize DNA staining but minimize alterations in cell size and integrity. Cells permeabilized with lysolecithin in PBS, were stained with propidium iodide (50 micrograms/ml) in the presence of 1% bovine serum albumin, 1 mM Na2EDTA in PBS. The optimal concentration (4 micrograms lysolecithin/ml) combined staining approximately 90% of the cells for DNA, with minimal effects on cell size. Subsequently, the cells were assayed for DNA content as a measure of cell cycle position. MDA-468 cells identified as being in G1 were sorted and collected. From these, high quality mRNA could be isolated, as judged by its ability to be in vitro translated into protein of a wide range of molecular weights. This technique should be useful for molecular studies requiring discrete cell populations based on DNA content and/or cell cycle position.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis of a novel cytotoxin (factor 2) induced tumor cell membrane permeability.

An improved twin-probe multiparameter flow cytometric technique was applied to examine a novel cytotoxin, Factor (F2), induced tumor cell permeability. Ability to retain preloaded intracellular bis-carboxyethyl carboxyfluorescein (BCECF, green fluorescence) and to exclude extracellular propidium (red fluorescence) was measured simultaneously with forward and right-angle scatter. In addition to the two expected cell populations which were stained green negative, red positive ("membrane-damaged" and "non-viable", Region 2), and green positive, red negative ("membrane intact" and "viable", Region 3), a third population was seen which fluoresced neither green nor red and displayed intermediate light scatter characteristics (Region 1). K562 cells progressed from Region 3 to Region 1, and then from Region 1 to Region 2 after treatment with F2. These results suggest that sequential changes in membrane structure lead to increased permeability, first with respect to intracellular BCECF and then in turn to extracellular propidium. Flow cytometric changes caused by F2 were detectable 10 min after treatment with 2.5 U/ml of F2, and 5 min after 10 or 40 U/ml of F2. Flow cytometric analysis showed that F2-induced tumor cell lysis and growth inhibition were accompanied by rapid alternations in tumor cell membrane permeability. Flow cytometric analysis also distinguished F2 cytotoxicity from phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) associated cytotoxicity to K562 cells and determined that F2 produced spontaneously or induced by PMA and/or ciprofloxacin had a similar ability to induce tumor cell membrane permeability change.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

Discrimination of bromodeoxyuridine labelled and unlabelled mitotic cells in flow cytometric bromodeoxyuridine/DNA analysis.

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) labelled and unlabelled mitotic cells, respectively, can be discriminated from interphase cells using a new method, based on immunocytochemical staining of BrdUrd and flow cytometric four-parameter analysis of DNA content, BrdUrd incorporation, and forward and orthogonal light scatter. The method was optimized using the human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and K-562. Samples of 10(5) ethanol-fixed cells were treated with pepsin/HCl and stained as a nuclear suspension with anti-BrdUrd antibody, FITC-conjugated secondary antibody, and propidium iodide. Labelled mitoses could be discriminated from unlabelled mitoses, and from labelled and unlabelled G2 cells, by their intermediate log FITC fluorescence intensity. In addition, mitoses and G2 nuclei differed in forward and orthogonal light scattering, but had equal intensity of propidium iodide fluorescence. This method for discrimination of labelled mitoses was also tested on cultured normal adult human keratinocytes labelled with iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd). In keratinocytes, where the cell structure was preserved after pepsin/HCl, IdUrd labelled mitotic cells were similarly discriminated in the log FITC/propidium iodide fluorescence distribution. This interpretation was supported by experiments using mitotic arrest, fluorescence activated cell sorting and microscopy, and comparison with an alternative flow cytometric method for discrimination of mitoses.

Bromodeoxyuridine↗

Characterization of exocytosis in electropermeabilized neutrophils by flow cytometric analysis: difference in sensitivity to calcium and guanosine-5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate.

When rabbit neutrophils were subjected to two electrical discharges of 4.75 kV/cm, the cells became permeable to propidium iodide. Measurement of propidium iodide fluorescence using flow cytometry showed that all cells in the suspension were permeabilized. The cells remained permeable for > 20 min when the cells were stored at 0 degree C. When exocytosis was induced by Ca2+ alone, the orthogonal light scatter (a sensitive parameter for cell granularity) of the complete population changed depending on the concentration. All the cells were equally sensitive to Ca2+ and showed a similar degree of exocytosis at the same time. In the presence of a fixed concentration of Ca2+ and a variable concentration of guanosine-5'-[v-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), a division of the cell population was observed in the orthogonal light scatter histogram. At low GTP gamma S concentrations, a part of the population showed complete exocytosis and a part of the population showed almost no exocytosis. With increasing GTP gamma S concentrations, the light scatter pattern of the population changed indicating that the cells were gradually sensitive to GTP gamma S. Electropermeabilized neutrophils showed an equal sensitivity to Ca2+ and a graded sensitivity to GTP gamma S. Flow cytometry is considered as an ideal tool to study such an effect on a cell-to-cell basis.

Animals↗

Radiation-induced changes in nucleoid halo diameters of aerobic and hypoxic SF-126 human brain tumor cells.

Nucleoid halo diameters were measured to assay changes in DNA supercoiling in human brain tumor cell line SF-126 after irradiation under aerobic or hypoxic conditions. In unirradiated aerobic cells, a typical propidium iodide titration curve showed that with increasing concentrations of propidium iodide, the halo diameter increased and then decreased with the unwinding and subsequent rewinding of DNA supercoils. In irradiated cells, the rewinding of DNA supercoils was inhibited, resulting in an increased halo diameter, in a radiation dose-dependent manner. To produce equal increases in halo diameter required about a threefold higher radiation dose in hypoxic cells than in aerobic cells. Quantitatively similar differences in the radiation sensitivities of hypoxic and aerobic cells were demonstrated by a colony-forming efficiency assay. These findings suggest that the nucleoid halo assay may be used as a rapid measure of the inherent radiation sensitivity of human tumors.

Aerobiosis↗

New method for the analysis of cell cycle-specific apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: In this study, a new method for the analysis of cell cycle specificity of apoptosis was designed by using a modified annexin V and propidium iodide (API) method. METHODS: Cells of the human promyelocytic HL-60 line treated with camptothecin (CPT) or ultraviolet light (UV) were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated annexin V and prefixed with 1% methanol-free formaldehyde on ice, and their DNA was stained stoichiometrically with propidium iodide in the presence of digitonin. Cellular green and red fluorescences were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Cell cycle specificity of apoptosis obtained by the API method and those analyzed for the presence of DNA strand breaks by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) assay were similar: CPT- or UV-induced apoptosis preferentially in S- or G1-phase cells, respectively. When the internucleosomal DNA degradation was prevented by the serine protease inhibitor N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, apoptotic cells could not be detected by the TdT assay but were identified by the API method. CONCLUSIONS: The API method, similar to the TdT assay, accurately detects the cell cycle phase specificity of apoptosis. Also, the API method appears to detect earlier stages of apoptosis than the TdT assay.

Annexin A5↗

Are seeds suitable for flow cytometric estimation of plant genome size?

BACKGROUND: Nuclear DNA content in plants is commonly estimated using flow cytometry (FCM). Plant material suitable for FCM measurement should contain the majority of its cells arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Usually young, rapidly growing leaves are used for analysis. However, in some cases seeds would be more convenient because they can be easily transported and analyzed without the delays and additional costs required to raise seedlings. Using seeds would be particularly suitable for species that contain leaf cytosol compounds affecting fluorochrome accessibility to the DNA. Therefore, the usefulness of seeds or their specific tissues for FCM genome size estimation was investigated, and the results are presented here. METHODS: The genome size of six plant species was determined by FCM using intercalating fluorochrome propidium iodide for staining isolated nuclei. Young leaves and different seed tissues were used as experimental material. Pisum sativum cv. Set (2C = 9.11 pg) was used as an internal standard. For isolation of nuclei from species containing compounds that interfere with propidium iodide intercalation and/or fluorescence, buffers were used supplemented with reductants. RESULTS: For Anethum graveolens, Beta vulgaris, and Zea mays, cytometrically estimated genome size was the same in seeds and leaves. For Helianthus annuus, different values for DNA amounts in seeds and in leaves were obtained when using all but one of four nuclei isolation buffers. For Brassica napus var. oleifera, none of the applied nuclei isolation buffers eliminated differences in genome size determined in the seeds and leaves. CONCLUSIONS: The genome size of species that do not contain compounds that influence fluorochrome accessibility appears to be the same when estimated using specific seed tissues and young leaves. Seeds can be more suitable than leaves, especially for species containing staining inhibitors in the leaf cytosol. Thus, use of seeds for FCM nuclear DNA content estimation is recommended, although for some species a specific seed tissue (usually the radicle) should be used. Protocols for preparation of samples from endospermic and endospermless seeds have been developed.

Anethum graveolens↗

The PIT method: an automated in vitro technique for drug toxicity testing.

An automated in vitro technique for drug toxicity testing is described. Human tumor cells were cultured for 2 days in 96-well microtiter plates before the addition of serial dilutions of drugs. At day 5 the cultures were terminated by the addition of a solution containing propidium iodide, ink and triton X-100 (PIT). Triton X-100 lysed all cells, which were subsequently stained by the DNA specific fluorescing propidium iodide. The ink effectively quenched all background fluorescence. The plates were read on a computer controlled automated microscope with a photomultiplier. The results showed a linear relationship between cell number and fluorescence intensity. Reproducible dose-response curves were obtained for 6 drugs tested. A computer program calculated ID50 values, making use of adequate growth and no-growth controls.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Assessment of islet cell viability using fluorescent dyes.

A rapid fluorometric method has been developed to evaluate the viability of isolated islet cells. The assay differentiates between viable and nonviable cells by the simultaneous use of the inclusion and exclusion dyes acridine orange and propidium iodide. When viewed by fluorescent microscopy, viable cells fluoresce green, while nonviable cells fluoresce bright red. Although the acridine orange and propidium iodide assay measures membrane integrity, the results of this assay correlate with other measures of cell viability. Compared to trypan blue exclusion, this assay is easier to read, more stable, and has fewer staining artifacts. The assay enables the rapid estimation of the viability of a population of islet cells prior to time-consuming experiments rather than retrospectively. This assay can also be used with intact islets. Stained islets can be divided into three distinct groups: green fluorescing islets contain insulin, red fluorescing islets contain little or no insulin and a third class of islets containing some non-viable cells fluoresce red, green, and yellow. The yellow colour is due to the superimposition of red and green fluorescing cells.

Acridine Orange↗

Simultaneous analysis of mitochondrial activity and DNA content in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by dual parameter flow cytometry.

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were permeabilized using low concentrations of digitonin, 8 micrograms/10(6) cells. Permeabilization was monitored by the assay of lactate dehydrogenase released into the incubation medium and of hexokinase partially bound to mitochondria. Integrity of the cellular organelles was unaffected as determined by assay of the mitochondrial enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. Cells were stained with rhodamine 123 as a mitochondrial specific dye and propidium iodide/mithramycin as DNA specific dyes. The green fluorescence of bound rhodamine 123 versus red fluorescence of DNA in individual cells was analysed by dual parameter flow cytometry. Incubation of cells with inhibitors of mitochondrial energy metabolism, such as, potassium cyanide and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone abolished binding of rhodamine 123. Flow cytometric data allowed a correlation between cell position in the mitotic cycle with total mitochondrial activity. In addition, comparison of the characteristics of propidium iodide and ethidium bromide staining further elucidated the molecular basis of the staining with the positively-charged fluorescent dye rhodamine 123.

Animals↗

The binding kinetics and interaction of DNA fluorochromes used in the analysis of nuclei and chromosomes by flow cytometry.

The interactions and binding characteristics of DNA dyes used in the flow cytometric analysis of chromatin were studied using human chromosomes and mouse thymocyte nuclei. The kinetics of dye binding and the relationship between fluorescence intensity and dye concentration are presented. Under the conditions used, Hoechst 33258, propidium iodide and chromomycin A3 reach an equilibrium with thymocyte nuclei after approximately 5 min, 20 min and more than 1 h, respectively. The same binding kinetics are observed with Hoechst 33258 and chromomycin when nuclei are stained with a mixture of the two dyes. Sodium citrate, which improves the resolution of flow karyotypes, causes a rapid increase in Hoechst and propidium iodide fluorescence, but a decrease in the fluorescence of chromomycin. The relative peak positions of chromosomes in a flow karyotype are unaffected by sodium citrate addition. The spectral interaction between Hoechst and chromomycin is quantified. There is variation among the human chromosome types in the amount of energy transferred from Hoechst to chromomycin. By measuring the Hoechst and chromomycin fluorescence of each chromosome after Hoechst excitation, it is shown that the amount of energy transferred is correlated to the ratio of the amount of Hoechst to chromomycin bound. Although the energy transfer between the two dyes is considerable, this has little effect on the reproducibility of flow karyotype measurements. The relative peak positions of all human chromosomes in a 64 X 64 channel flow karyotype, except for the 13 and Y chromosomes, vary in the order of 0.5 channel over a 16-fold change in either Hoechst or chromomycin concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Analysis of the genetic stability of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. somatic embryos by flow cytometry.

Flow cytometry was used to measure the nuclear DNA content of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. somatic and zygotic embryos and leaves in order to determine if somatic embryogenesis induces DNA content and ploidy changes in this species. Mature zygotic embryos derived from open-pollination orchard families were collected from a location in the centre of Portugal. One group was kept for nuclear DNA content and ploidy analysis, and the other group was used for establishing embryogenic cultures. Mature zygotic embryos were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 3 mg l(-1) alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for 3 weeks and then transferred to MS medium without growth regulators. Globular somatic embryos from approximately 8-month-old embryogenic cultures were used in the assay. DNA ploidy levels and the nuclear DNA content of mature zygotic embryos, somatic embryos and leaves from the mother field tree were determined using flow cytometry combined with propidium iodide staining. Zygotic embryos had a nuclear DNA content of 1.32 pg/2C, somatic embryos had a nuclear DNA content of 1.39 pg/2C and leaves from the field tree had a nuclear DNA content of 1.40 pg/2C. The values estimated for the somatic embryos and mother plant did not differ statistically from each other (P < or = 0.05), but both differed from those of the zygotic embryos (P < or = 0.05). These results clearly indicate that no changes were induced during the embryogenic process. However, the differences found between the field plants and zygotic embryos did suggest that some aspects must be evaluated carefully, as propidium iodide fluorescence may potentially be influenced by the presence of secondary compounds (e.g. anthocyanins, tannins) in E. globulus somatic embryos and mature leaves. Therefore we believe that the somatic embryogenesis methodology used did not induce major genetic changes in the somatic embryos and that our primary goal of "true-to-type" propagation was assured.

Analysis of Variance↗

Endothelial cell viability in the rat aortic wall.

Aortic allografts may offer advantages over prosthetic materials for aortic valve replacement or reconstruction with a valved aortic conduit. Cellular viability may partly determine long-term allograft performance. To evaluate endothelial cell viability in a rat model, valved aortic conduits were subjected to collagenase digestion. The resulting endothelial cell suspension was labeled with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (GSA-FITC), a marker specific for vascular endothelial cells of the rat. The cells were then incubated with propidium iodide, which is excluded by viable cells. Flow cytometry evaluated endothelial cell viability by determination of percentage of GSA-FITC-positive cells that were negative for propidium iodide. Aortas were studied immediately after harvest or after storage at 4 degrees C in a nutrient medium for 3 to 21 days. Percentage of viable endothelial cells showed a progressive decline with increasing duration of storage. These results demonstrate flow cytometric measurement of endothelial cell viability, a factor of possible importance in assessing allograft storage methods, and show that endothelial viability declines with prolonged storage at 4 degrees C in a nutrient medium.

Animals↗

Light-induced permeabilization and merocyanine 540 staining of mouse spleen cells.

Merocyanine 540 (M540) is a potential-sensitive, hydrophobic dye that preferentially incorporates into the 'fluid' domains of cellular membranes, distinguishing between hemopoietic cells according to their differentiation state. A bright staining with M540 is usually achieved by UV illumination of the cells during staining. We show by flow cytometric analysis that: (1) staining is greatly enhanced by UV illumination of mouse spleen cells before addition of the dye; (2) UV treatment causes an increased permeability toward propidium iodide and intracellular fluorescein as well; (3) the increment in M540 fluorescence precedes permeabilization to propidium iodide, while the latter precedes leakage of fluorescein. We also describe an overshoot and accelerated recovery of M540 fluorescence after photobleaching by a 514 nm laser beam. It is suggested that penetration of M540 to the more fluid inner membrane structures explains the fluorescence increment in both experiments.

Animals↗