Detection of apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases.
The past decade has seen a surge in research devoted to understanding the role of cell death in the pathogenesis of various forms of cardiovascular disease. In particular, apoptosis has received much attention owing to the tightly regulated biochemical nature of this form of cell death and the realization of potential therapeutic opportunities. The current chapter describes a few of the more widely used protocols for detecting and quantifying apoptosis in cardiovascular tissues. Specifically, this chapter describes terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining for DNA fragmentation, Hoechst staining for chromatin condensation, annexin V labeling of phosphatidylserine externalization, and Western blot and immunoflorescence detection of caspase cleavage and activation, respectively.
Hunter
Arwen L
AL
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Choy
Jonathan C
JC
Granville
David J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020169:Caspases / Q000032:analysis; D016923:Cell Death; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D017304:Annexin A5; D020169:Caspases