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Updated: May 11, 2026
Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel
Published on: May 14, 2018
Confocal Raman data analysis enables identifying apoptosis of MCF-7 cells caused by anticancer drug paclitaxel
Hamideh Salehi1, Elodie Middendorp, Ivan Panayotov
1Université Montpellier 1, Laboratoire Biologie-Santé Nanosciences, EA 4203, UFR Odontologie, 34193 Montpellier, France. s_hamideh@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Confocal Raman microscopy is a noninvasive, label-free imaging technique used to study apoptosis of live MCF-7 cells. The images are based on Raman spectra of cells components, and their apoptosis is monitored through diffusion of cytochrome c in cytoplasm. K-mean clustering is used to identify mitochondria in cells, and correlation analysis provides the cytochrome c distribution inside the cells. Our results demonstrate that incubation of cells for 3 h with 10 μM of paclitaxel does not induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. On the contrary, incubation for 30 min at a higher concentration (100 μM) of paclitaxel induces gradual release of the cytochrome c into the cytoplasm, indicating cell apoptosis via a caspase independent pathway.
Insights
Confocal Raman microscopy monitored apoptosis in live MCF-7 cells. Paclitaxel induced cell death via cytochrome c release, indicating a caspase-independent pathway at higher concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Apoptosis is a critical cellular process.
- Monitoring apoptosis in real-time is essential for understanding cell death mechanisms.
- Label-free imaging techniques offer advantages for studying live cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells using confocal Raman microscopy.
- To monitor the release of cytochrome c as an indicator of apoptosis.
- To elucidate the pathway of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Confocal Raman microscopy for label-free, noninvasive imaging of live MCF-7 cells.
- K-mean clustering to identify mitochondria within cells.
- Correlation analysis to quantify cytochrome c distribution in the cytoplasm.
Main Results:
- Incubation with 10 μM paclitaxel for 3 hours did not induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
- Incubation with 100 μM paclitaxel for 30 minutes induced gradual release of cytochrome c.
- Cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm indicates the onset of apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Paclitaxel can induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- The observed apoptosis occurs via a caspase-independent pathway.
- Confocal Raman microscopy is a powerful tool for studying cellular responses to drugs.
