4T1 In Vitro Light Microscopy-based Apoptosis Assay

This assay is to provide 4T1-based In Vitro Light Microscopy-based Apoptosis Assay to accelerate our client's oncology projects. The assay will be customized according to the specific requirements. Please contact our scientists to discuss more details.

4T1

Mouse

4T1 is a breast cancer cell line derived from the mammary gland tissue of a mouse BALB/c strain. 4T1 cells are epithelial and are resistant to 6-thioguanine. In preclinical research, 4T1 cells have been used to study breast cancer metastasis as they can metastasize to the lung, liver, lymph nodes, brain and bone.

Breast Cancer

Oncology

In Vitro Light Microscopy-based Apoptosis Assay

4T1-cell based In Vitro Light Microscopy-based Apoptosis Assay

For apoptosis-related morphological observations, light microscopy has widely been used. During apoptosis, changes in cell shape, volume, cell shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies can be clearly observed using light microscopy. Stains such as hematoxylin and eosin can be used to stain cancer cells before morphological observations under light microscopy. Although the light microscopy technique is an easy and inexpensive method, low sensitivity is the main disadvantage of this technique.

Detection of Apoptosis Assays

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) plays a vital role in embryonic development, homeostasis, functioning of immune system and wound repair. The ability to evade induction of apoptosis has been used by cancer cells to survive against host defense mechanisms. The molecular mechanisms involved in cancer cell apoptosis have been well documented and it involves certain biochemical events such as DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, cell organelle degradation and protein cleavage, etc. The extrinsic and intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathways are the two major pathways involved in apoptosis. With the available techniques and assays, a number of apoptosis inducing agents (natural compounds, synthetic compounds, nano-formulations, peptides and enzymes) in many cancer cells have been identified. Selection of an assay for apoptosis detection is based on factors such as apoptotic pathway, nature of drug, cell type being used and the method of analysis.

Microscopic Techniques to Detect Apoptosis Assays

Light Microscopy Assay