Cytotoxicity Assay Kit

Total Cytotoxicity Test Assay Kit

Cat. Num. AAA12387

• Synonyms: Cytotoxicity; N/A; Total Cytotoxicity Test Assay Kit; Cytotoxicity assay kit

• Preparation and Storage: Mixed Storage Conditions: CFSE at -20 degree C; Other Kit Components at 2 - 8 degree C

Application Data

(As all target cellswere initiallystained green, theentire populationcan be counted inR3=R2+R1. After theeffector cells andred live/dead stainwere added, all thedead target cellswere stained red, shifting them up the Y-axis (R2), clearly distinguishing themfrom the live target cells (R1). (Live effector cells are at lower left, dead effectorcells are in upper left). Using the Basic Cytotoxicity Test, the analysis would becomplete (and R2 would be the maroon line above). However, ICT's TotalCytotoxicity Kit includes an additional caspase reagent to concurrently assessapoptosis (which is the blue line above). To complete the analysis using theTotal Cytotoxicity Test, further analyze R1 and R2 to isolate apoptotic cells.)

Application Data

(ICT's TotalCytotoxicity Testcan be usedto easily analyzethe activity ofnatural killer(NK) cells. Basedon flowcytometric data,the formula[R2/(R2+R1)] X 100 was used tocalculate cytotoxicity. NK-killed necrotic cells are shown in the maroon line, andapoptotic cells are shown as the blue line. When added together, the total levelof cell death is calculated as the black line. In this example, cytotoxicityincreased as more NK effector cells were combined with target cells. As the ratioof Effector:Target-cells increased from 12.5:1 to 100:1 the percentage of targetcells dying increased from 11% to 60%.)

Related Product Information for Cytotoxicity assay kit

Background/Introduction: Cytolytic activity is an important process for eliminating intracellular pathogens and cancer cells. This process is accomplished through various immune effector mechanisms including natural killer (NK) leukocytes. NK activity is facilitated by non-specifically lysing infected targets through the use of NK receptors, or the FcgammaII (CD16) receptor, recognizing IgG bound to specific antigens on the target cell surface1. NK cells may also induce apoptosis in target cells. The activity of natural killer cells, and their effect on target cells, is frequently studied in immunomodulation experiments. Older methods to assess NK cytolytic activity include measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase, and more commonly, the release of radioactive 51Cr from lysed target cells1. Unfortunately, these techniques have several drawbacks. Traditional enzyme-release assays are often skewed by the large number of necrotic effector cells. Problems associated with 51Cr release methods include high spontaneous leakage resulting in high backgrounds, high cost, short half-life, and the health risks due to exposure to radioactive material2. Beyond these limitations, these assays frequently underestimate the true level of cytotoxicity, as they are unable to detect early-stage apoptotic cells. Flow cytometric assays have been developed to overcome some of the difficulties associated with older assays like lactate dehydrogenase and 51Cr release assays. Once such early version involved the detection of NK cytotoxicity activity by staining target cells with the green fluorescent dye, F-18, in combination with the DNA intercalating dye, propidium iodide3. Since then, a red fluorescent membrane dye, PKH-26, has been used in preference to F-18, and in combination with the viability probe, TO-PRO-3 iodide4-7. However, despite correlations of greater than 95% when compared with the 51Cr release assay1, the PKH-26 method is problematic. It is difficult to use at a constant concentration, leading to unreliable staining, and the staining procedure requires multiple steps, often decreasing the viability of the target cells. More recently, the problems with older flow cytometric assays were overcome with the use of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CFSE), a green fluorogenic reagent that diffuses into target cells and covalently binds to primary amino groups on intracellular molecules8. Intracellular esterases quickly cleave the acetate groups from the dye, thus converting it to its green fluorescent form. Any unbound reagent diffuses back out of the cell. Building upon these techniques, has developed the Total Cytotoxicity & Apoptosis Assay, a flow cytometric assay combining the green fluorescing cellular stain, (CFSE), with a red fluorescing live/dead stain, 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD), and SR-FLICA® apoptosis detection reagent to concurrently quantify caspase-positive cells. The assay can be used to determine total cytotoxicity in the form of apoptosis and necrosis. It will quantify 4 populations of cells: live; early apoptotic; late apoptotic; and necrotic cells within a single sample tube. While other methods often underestimate the true level of cytotoxicity, Total Cytotoxicity & Apoptosis Assay is the best method to accurately quantify cell death because it can detect cells in early apoptosis. This often reveals a significant percentage of cells that are 7-AAD negative (indicating that they are alive and do not have compromised membranes), but are SRFLICA positive (meaning that they are becoming apoptotic and dying and have active caspase enzymes). In the assay, CFSE is first used to label the target cell population green (Figure 4). The unstained effector cells are then added and incubated with the target cells (referred to as the Effector:Target, or 'E:T' mixture, Figure 5). As all the target cells are initially labeled with green fluorescing CFSE, and the effector cells are not, these two populations can be easily distinguished (Figure 8). Apoptotic target cells can then be identified by labeling with the second reagent, SR-FLICA (Figure 6). SR-FLICA is an orange/red fluorescent poly caspase inhibitor, SR-VAD-FMK, which binds to active caspase enzymes up-regulated for apoptosis9. Upon completion of the E:T incubation (which includes exposure to the apoptosis detection reagent), the last reagent, 7-AAD, is added to stain all dead cells red by binding to the DNA of membrane- compromised cells (Figure 7). With proper compensation and gating of the flow cytometer using the designated instrument controls (Figures 3 and 8-13) researchers can distinguish between target and effector cells, and living, necrotic, and apoptotic cells, and assess the level of cytotoxicity in their samples (Figures 14-15).

Product Categories/Family for Cytotoxicity assay kit

Apoptosis Assays/Apoptosis Detection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best assay for cytotoxicity?

LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) release assays are among the most reliable methods for measuring cytotoxicity. They detect enzyme leakage from damaged cells, providing quantitative, non-radioactive results. Other methods include MTT, trypan blue exclusion, and flow cytometry, each with specific advantages depending on experimental requirements.​

What does this cytotoxicity kit measure?

LDH cytotoxicity kits measure lactate dehydrogenase enzyme released from damaged or lysed cells into culture supernatant. The enzyme catalyzes NADH oxidation, creating measurable optical signals. Kit readings correlate directly with cell membrane integrity and cell death rates.​

What types of samples or treatments can be tested?

LDH assays accommodate diverse samples, including drug-treated cells, immunotoxicity models, chemotherapy screening, viral infection studies, and biomaterial biocompatibility testing. Applications span cancer research, pharmaceutical development, vaccine safety assessment, and nanomaterial toxicology evaluations.​

What detection method does the kit use?

Most LDH cytotoxicity kits use colorimetric detection with absorbance measurement at 490-560 nm wavelengths. The assay measures NADH consumption via enzymatic reaction, producing colored formazan products. Results correlate with LDH enzyme concentration and cell damage magnitude.​

What are the typical components of an LDH cytotoxicity assay kit?

Standard kits include reaction buffer, LDH substrate, catalyst enzyme (NAD⁺ or similar), and positive control (cell lysis solution). Some formulations include a stop reagent for endpoint assays. Components are pre-calibrated for 96-well plate format compatibility with standard plate readers.​

How long does the assay take to complete?

Typical LDH cytotoxicity assays require 2-4 hours total time: 18-24 hours cell culture/treatment, 15-30 minutes sample preparation, and 30-60 minutes enzymatic reaction with absorbance reading. Express assay protocols reduce reaction time to 10-15 minutes for rapid screening applications.​

What storage conditions are required for the kit?

LDH cytotoxicity kit components are typically stored at 2-8°C in original, sealed packaging. Most kits remain stable for 12-24 months under proper conditions. Some formulations may contain components requiring frozen storage at -20°C. Verify specific storage requirements on product packaging.​