title: Two optimized combination assays to examine apoptosis pathways in clinical samples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A consequence of a number of diseases is an alteration in apoptosis. Currently, there is no single assay that measures the main stages of apoptosis, requiring that multiple assays be performed. This hinders studies on clinical samples that have limited cell numbers. Our objective was to combine and optimize assays that target specific stages of apoptosis for use in a typical clinical blood sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two flow cytometric assays were developed for use on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected in two 8-ml tubes from a single draw. One measures caspase-12 activity, the level of active caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. The second assesses depolarization of the mitochondria and phosphatidylserine externalization. Cell populations present within the samples were determined by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was validated by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each assay was optimized for use with cell numbers and sample volumes typical of clinical blood samples. Each combination assay effectively distinguished apoptotic from nonapoptotic blood cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This combined optimized method comprised of two independent assays makes it possible to assay the major pathways of apoptosis in addition to determining the blood cell subsets that are affected.
authors.affiliation: Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hollier
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Whistler
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Suzanne D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Vernon
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000494:pharmacology; D053454:Caspase 12 / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010718:Phosphatidylserines; C506444:CASP12 protein, human; D053454:Caspase 12; D053148:Caspase 3; D002166:Camptothecin