Assessment of cell viability in primary neuronal cultures

Current Protocols in Neuroscience
H S YingD W Choi

Abstract

Four commonly used methods for the assessment of neuronal (or glial) cell viability are described in this unit. The MTT assay is sensitive to the function of labile mitochondrial enzymes, which typically lose activity early in the progression towards death. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay measures the appearance of this cytosolic enzyme in the bathing medium, providing a measure of plasma membrane integrity. Loss of plasma membrane integrity is also the basis of the trypan blue dye assay and the propidium iodide assay. Trypan blue staining is assessed by cell counts; propidium iodide labeling can be assessed either by cell counts, typically in conjunction with fluorescein diacetate counterstaining to identify intact cells containing adequate levels of functional esterases, or with a fluorescence plate reader.

References

Oct 1, 1988·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M FavaronE Costa
Jan 1, 1988·Neuroscience·D W ChoiJ Koh
Sep 1, 1971·The Journal of Pathology·J F Kerr
Jul 1, 1994·Analytical Biochemistry·L C Trost, J J Lemasters
Jan 1, 1993·Free Radical Research Communications·R H BurdonC Rice-Evans
Jul 1, 1996·Pathology, Research and Practice·F T BosmanJ van Oeveren
Apr 1, 1997·Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism : Official Journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism·R SattlerM Tymianski
Oct 1, 1955·Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine·F WROBLEWSKI, J S LADUE
Apr 1, 1956·Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine·K M HSIEH, H T BLUMENTHAL
Sep 7, 1957·Journal of the American Medical Association·R P MACDONALDE NOSSAL

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 10, 2013·Journal of Molecular Neuroscience : MN·Bing LiZhiying Xu
Oct 18, 2006·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Ai-Li CaiChristian T Sheline

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.