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Multi-Color Labeling and Functional Analysis of Live Cells Using Fluorescent Calcein AM Dyes

Introduction


Calcein AM is a hydrophobic compound that easily permeates intact live cells. It is widely used in cell viability assays. The hydrolysis of the non-fluorescent Calcein AM by intracellular esterases generates the strongly fluorescent hydrophilic Calcein that is well-retained in the cell cytoplasm. The esterase activity is proportional to the number of vial cells, and thus directly related to the fluorescence intensity of Calcein generated from the esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of Calcein AM. Calcein AM is one of the most popular fluorescent probes used for labeling and monitoring cellular functions of live cells. However, the single color of Calcein AM makes it impossible to use this valuable reagent in the multicolor applications. For example, it is impossible to use Calcein AM in combination of GFP-tranfacted cells due to the fact that Calcein AM has the same color as GFP.

 

Spectral Properties of Calcein Dyes


To address the above-mentioned color limitation of Calcein AM, we have developed Calcein Orange™ and Calcein Red™. These two new Calcein AM analogs enable the multicolor labeling and functional analysis of live cells in combination with Calcein AM. In addition, we have also developed CytoCalcein™ Violet 450, CytoCalcein™ Violet 500, CytoCalcein™ Blue 550 and CytoCalcein™ Blue 600 for flow cytometric applications. CytoCalcein™ dyes exhibit similar biological properties to Calcein, AM. They are optimized for the excitation wavelengths of a variety of flow cytometers, providing additional colors for flow cytometric analysis of live cells. CytoCalcein™ Violet 450 and CytoCalcein™ Violet 500 are well excited by violet laser (405 nm) and emit fluorescence at 450 nm and 500 nm respectively. CytoCalcein™ Blue 550 and CytoCalcein™ Blue 550 are well excited by blue laser (488 nm) and emit fluorescence at 550 nm and 600 nm respectively.
 

Table 1. Calcein-Based Cell Viability Probes

Cat No.
Product Name
Ex (nm)
Em (nm)
Unit Size
22001Calcein *UltraPure Grade* *CAS 154071-48-4*49551510 mg
22002Calcein, AM *CAS 148504-34-1*4955151 mg
22003Calcein, AM *UltraPure grade* *CAS 148504-34-1*4955151 mg
22004Calcein, AM *UltraPure grade* *CAS 148504-34-1*49551520x50 µg
22006Calcein Blue *CAS 54375-47-2*36044525 mg
22007Calcein Blue, AM *CAS 168482-84-6*3604451 mg
21902Calcein Deep Red™6466591 mg
22010Calcein Deep Red™ acetate6466591 mg
22009Calcein Orange™ diacetate5255501 mg
22008Calcein Orange™ sodium salt5255501 mg
21900Calcein Red™ AM5605741 mg
21901Calcein Red™ sodium salt5605741 mg
21908Calcein UltraBlue™ AM36044510x50 µg
21909Calcein UltraBlue™ sodium salt3604451 mg
22012CytoCalcein™ Violet 450 *Excited at 405 nm*4084501 mg
22013CytoCalcein™ Violet 500 *Excited at 405 nm*4105001 mg

 

Use of Cell Viability Indicator AM Esters


AM esters are the non-polar esters that readily cross live cell membranes, and rapidly hydrolyzed by cellular esterases inside live cells. AM esters are widely used for loading a variety of polar fluorescent probes into live cell non-invasively. However, cautions must be excised when AM esters are used since they are susceptible to hydrolysis, particularly in solution. They should be reconstituted just before use in high-quality, anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO stock solutions may be stored desiccated at -20 °C and protected from light. Under these conditions, AM esters should be stable for several months.

Following is our recommended protocol for loading AM esters into live cells. This protocol only provides a guideline, and should be modified according to your specific needs.

a) Prepare a 2 to 5 mM stock solution of AM esters in high-quality, anhydrous DMSO. The nonionic detergent Pluronic® F-127 is sometimes used to increase the aqueous solubility of AM esters.Note: An equal volume of 20% Pluronic® F-127 solution can be added to DMSO stock solutions of cell viability indicators before diluting into the loading buffer. The final Pluronic® F-127 concentration is about 0.02%. A variety of Pluronic® F-127 solutions can be purchased from AAT Bioquest. Caution: The long-term storage of AM esters in the presence of Pluronic® F-127 is not recommended.

b) On the day of the experiment, either dissolve the indicators of cell viability in DMSO or thaw an aliquot of the indicator stock solutions to room temperature. Prepare a working solution of 1 to 10 µM in the buffer of your choice (such as Hanks and Hepes buffer). For most of cell lines, 4-5 µM cell viability indicators are recommended. The exact concentration of indicators required for cell loading must be determined empirically.

c) If your cells containing the organic anion-transports, probenecid (1–2.5 mM) or sulfinpyrazone (0.1–0.25 mM) may be added to the cell medium to reduce leakage of the de-esterified indicators. Incubate cells with the indicators of cell viability for 20 minutes to one hour at room temperature or 37°C.Note: Decreasing the loading temperature might reduce the compartmentalization of the indicator.

d) Wash cells in cell viability indicator-free buffer (containing an anion transporter inhibitor, if applicable) to remove excess probes. Note: Cell samples can be analyzed immediately by using flow cytometry to determine the average fluorescence per cell without washing.

e) Run the experiments at the desired Ex/Em wavelengths (see Table 1).

 

Storage Conditions


Store at –20 °C, protected from light. Expiration date is 6 months from the date of receipt.

 

References


  1. Zibek S, Stett A, Koltay P, Hu M, Zengerle R, Nisch W, Stelzle M. (2006) Localized functional chemical stimulation of TE 671 cells cultured on nanoporous membrane by calcein and acetylcholine. Biophys J.
  2. Klesius PH, Evans JJ, Shoemaker CA, Pasnik DJ. (2006) A vaccination and challenge model using calcein marked fish. Fish Shellfish Immunol, 20, 20.
  3. Bratosin D, Mitrofan L, Palii C, Estaquier J, Montreuil J. (2005) Novel fluorescence assay using calcein-AM for the determination of human erythrocyte viability and aging. Cytometry A, 66, 78.
  4. Schoonen WG, Westerink WM, de Roos JA, Debiton E. (2005) Cytotoxic effects of 100 reference compounds on Hep G2 and HeLa cells and of 60 compounds on ECC-1 and CHO cells. I mechanistic assays on ROS, glutathione depletion and calcein uptake. Toxicol In Vitro, 19, 505.
  5. Uggeri J, Gatti R, Belletti S, Scandroglio R, Corradini R, Rotoli BM, Orlandini G. (2004) CalceinAM is a detector of intracellular oxidative activity. Histochem Cell Biol, 122, 499.
  6. Mueller H, Kassack MU, Wiese M. (2004) Comparison of the usefulness of the MTT, ATP, and calcein assays to predict the potency of cytotoxic agents in various human cancer cell lines. J Biomol Screen, 9, 506.
  7. Iwanowicz LR, Densmore CL, Ottinger CA. (2004) Calcein AM release-based cytotoxic cell assay for fish leucocytes. Fish Shellfish Immunol, 16, 127.
  8. Tokudome Y, Sugibayashi K. (2003) The synergic effects of various electrolytes and electroporation on the in vitro skin permeation of calcein. J Control Release, 92, 93.


Original created on June 5, 2019, last updated on October 20, 2022
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