Flow cytometric analysis of signaling and apoptosis in hematopoietic stem cells

Lei Dong, Cheng Kui Qu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The analysis of protein phosphorylation in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) provides a powerful tool for studying the cell signaling activities that mediate HSC fate decisions, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and apoptosis. The first part of this chapter describes a method of intracellular staining for phosphorylated proteins in conjunction with membrane staining for multiple hematopoietic cell-surface markers, and subsequent flow cytometric analysis of protein phosphorylation levels [indicated by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of specific fluorochromed phospho-antibodies] in primitive hematopoietic cells. The second part describes a method for assessing the frequency of apoptosis in HSCs using extracellular staining with recombinant Annexin V and 7-Amino-Actinomycin (7-AAD). Both parts involve an initial magnetic enrichment of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow. Because of the intracellular detection required for the HSC signaling assay, this assay also includes cell fixation and permeabilization. Gating strategies for assessing MFI and the frequency of Annexin V+ apoptotic cells in a complex population are also described along with representative examples.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHematopoietic Stem Cell Protocols
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages79-87
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9781493911325
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1185
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell signaling
  • Flow cytometry
  • Hematopoietic stem cell

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