Abstract
Flow cytometry has recently become a choice technique for the quantitative analysis of apoptosis. Monoparametric DNA analysis usually allows identification of apoptotic cells as a 'subdiploid' peak. Progression through apoptosis leads to chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and eventually to cell disruption. Thus, a major problem for the flow cytometric analysis of apoptotic populations is discrimination between debris and apoptotic cells. Here we demonstrate that the best parameter on which to make such a distinction is the DNA content, no matter what type of cell is studied. In contrast, discrimination between apoptotic, non-apoptotic cells, and debris is possible on the basis of scattering signals only in few selected cases, depending on the morphology of the intact cells.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 891-897 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Cytometry |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1993 |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Cell morphology
- Electron microscopy
- Flow cytometry
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Biophysics
- Endocrinology