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Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
Published on: August 12, 2018
Measuring apoptosis at the single cell level.
Lisa Bouchier-Hayes1, Cristina Muñoz-Pinedo, Samuel Connell
1Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale Street, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|March 4, 2008
Summary
Live cell microscopy enables imaging of key apoptosis events, such as mitochondrial changes and caspase activation. This review discusses techniques for studying programmed cell death, highlighting their pros and cons.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a fundamental biological process.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis is crucial for various fields, including developmental biology and disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of live cell microscopy in studying apoptosis.
- To discuss the techniques available for visualizing key events during programmed cell death.
- To highlight the advantages and limitations of these live cell imaging approaches.
Main Methods:
- Live cell microscopy
- Fluorescence imaging
- Analysis of specific apoptosis markers
Main Results:
- Live cell microscopy allows real-time visualization of critical apoptosis events.
- Techniques enable imaging of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, caspase activation, and plasma membrane rupture.
- Various molecular probes and genetically encoded reporters are utilized.
Conclusions:
- Live cell microscopy is a powerful tool for dissecting the spatiotemporal dynamics of apoptosis.
- The choice of technique depends on the specific event being studied and the desired resolution.
- Further advancements in live cell imaging will continue to enhance our understanding of programmed cell death.
