OBJECTIVETo quantitatively analyze apoptotic and secondary necrotic cells under apoptosis conditions.

METHODSThe cells of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell line Raji were incubated with 1.0 micromol/L dexamethasone (DEX) for 2, 4 and 8 h respectively, then stained with Annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated) which was used to detect the exposed phosphatidylserine (PS) on the epimembrane resulting from a loss of phospholipid asymmetry in the early stage of apoptosis, and also stained with propidium iodide (PI) which allows analysis of secondary necrotic cells related with cell membrane and DNA damage that probably representlate stage of apoptosis, then apoptotic cells were quantified by flow cytometry (FCM). Furthermore, Annexin+ /PI- and Annexin+ /PI+ cells were sorted by fluoresence-activated cell sorter (FACS), and identified by electron microscopy (EM) and DNA gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSThe percentage of apoptotic cells was found to increase with the incubation time (r = 0.97). This method was sensitive with low detection limit (0.02%), and was reproducible with low coefficient variance (CV) (4.2%). Meanwhile, the Annexin+ /PI- and Annexin+ /PI+ cells were identified as apoptotic and necrotic cells under EM, and DNA extracted from the Annexin+ /PI- cells was characterized by "ladder pattern".

CONCLUSIONSAnnexin-V assay is a specific, sensitive, accurate, reproductive and quantitative method for analyzing apoptotic cells.