Cost-effective Apoptosis Kit

This assay distinguishes apoptotic cells from necrotic ones by leveraging the unique properties of Annexin V FITC and PI:

• Annexin V FITC: Binds to phosphatidylserine exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells but not intact cells.
• Propidium Iodide (PI): Stains the DNA of necrotic cells, which have compromised membrane integrity.

  They will not bind normal and intact cells. However, necrotic cells are leaky enough to pass Annexin V FITC into cytoplasm and provide accessibility for binding to inner membrane phosphatidylserine (false positive apoptosis). 

Indeed, apoptotic cells have to be differentiated from necrotic cells by PI-stained apoptotic nuclei in comparison to PI-stained necrotic nuclei. But this assay due to its distinctive design is probably able to distinguish between cells that have undergone apoptotic death versus those that have died as a result of a necrotic pathway. The dead cells will probably stain only with both PI. 

Cells can be tracked through three stages over time:

1. Viable Cells (or no measurable apoptosis): FITC Annexin V and PI negative.
2. Early Apoptosis (early apoptosis, membrane integrity is yet present): FITC Annexin V positive and PI negative (membrane integrity intact).
3. Late Apoptosis/Necrosis (end stage apoptosis): FITC Annexin V and PI positive.

In fact, the movement of cells through these three stages suggests apoptosis.

This kit provides precise differentiation, ensuring accuracy even in complex experimental settings.