Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis

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A comparative study on the measurement of neuronal cell apoptosis by Hoechst33342/PI double staining and TUNEL assay

YANG Xi-fei1,HE Chun-e1,2,TANG Rui-hua1,TIAN Sheng-li2,*,LIU Jian-jun1,*   

  1.  Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Medical Key Laboratory of Health Toxicology and Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055
  • Received:2014-02-27 Revised:2014-03-18 Online:2014-05-30 Published:2014-05-30

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of nano-silica(nm-SiO2) on apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells,and compare the advantages and disadvantages of Hoechst33342/PI staining and TUNEL assay in apoptosis measurement. METHODS:Cultured human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells were treated with nm-SiO2 (15 and 30 nm) and micro-sized SiO2 at different doses (2.5,5 and 10 μg/mL) for 24 h. Apoptotic cells were detected by Hoechst33342/PI and TUNEL staining. RESULTS:Compared with normal control,the percentages of total apoptosis in nm-SiO2-treated cells were significantly increased by both methods. CONCLUSION:nm-SiO2 increased apoptosis of SK-N-SH cells in a dose- and size-dependent manner. Hoechst33342/PI is more specific,cheaper and simpler,while TUNEL assay is more sensitive. It is recommended to combine these two methods to assess apoptosis in neuronal cells.

Key words: nm-SiO2, neuronal cells, apoptosis, Hoechst33342/PI double staining, TUNEL