[Comparison between annexin V-FITC/PI and Hoechst33342/PI double stainings in the detection of apoptosis by flow cytometry].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the merits and demerits of annexin V-FITC/PI and Hoechst33342/PI double stainings in the detection of apoptosis by flow cytometry.


METHODS
Hoechst33342/PI and annexin V-FITC/PI double stainings were performed to detect the apoptosis of thymocytes induced by DEX and K562 cells induced by H(2)O(2).


RESULTS
The anenxin V-FITC/PI double staining was able to detect the cell apoptosis in both DEX-induced thymocytes and H(2)O(2)-induced K562 cells as predicted, and the cell plotting was consistent with the principle of the method. Hoechest33342/PI double staining was able to detect cell apoptosis in the DEX-induced thymocytes, but this method showed a contradictory result in the early stage of H(2)O(2)-induced K562 cell apoptosis, and the cell plotting was in conflict with the principle of the method.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, the method of Hoechst33342/PI double staining in the detection of apoptosis by flow cytometry has some limitations.
Department of Basic Medicine, Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
Wei
W
Zhang
Cell Engineering Centre, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Zhihui
Z
Liang
D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000032:analysis*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D011419:Propidium / Q000737:chemistry; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D017304:Annexin A5; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D011419:Propidium; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; C017807:bisbenzimide ethoxide trihydrochloride