title: Use of spin traps to detect superoxide production in living cells by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.
abstract: Detection of superoxide produced by living cells has been an on-going challenge in biology for over forty years. Various methods have been proposed to address this issue, among which spin trapping with cyclic nitrones coupled to EPR spectroscopy, the gold standard for detection of radicals. This technique is based on the nucleophilic addition of superoxide to a diamagnetic cyclic nitrone, referred to as the spin trap, and the formation of a spin adduct, i.e. a persistent radical with a characteristic EPR spectrum. The first application of spin trapping to living cells dates back 1979. Since then, considerable improvements of the method have been achieved both in the structures of the spin traps, the EPR methodology, and the design of the experiments including appropriate controls. Here, we will concentrate on technical aspects of the spin trapping/EPR technique, delineating recent breakthroughs, inherent limitations, and potential artifacts.
authors.affiliation: LCBPT, UMR 8601 CNRS - Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Kahina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.affiliation: LCBPT, UMR 8601 CNRS - Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Babić
authors.affiliation: LCBPT, UMR 8601 CNRS - Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; ESPE of Paris, Paris Sorbonne University, Paris, France. Electronic address: fabienne.peyrot@parisdescartes.fr.
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peyrot
mesh_terms: D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D013113:Spin Labels; D019097:Spin Trapping / Q000379:methods*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D013113:Spin Labels; C015388:nitrones; D013481:Superoxides
keywords: Cyclic nitrone; EPR spectroscopy; ESR spectroscopy; Free radical; Macrophage; Spin trapping