Development of a high-throughput γ-H2AX assay based on imaging flow cytometry

Abstract

BackgroundMeasurement of {gamma}-H2AX foci formation in cells provides a sensitive and reliable method for quantitation of the radiation-induced DNA damage response. The objective of the present study was to develop a rapid, high-throughput {gamma}-H2AX assay based on imaging flow cytometry (IFC) using the ImageStream(R)X Mk II (ISX MKII) platform to evaluate DNA double strand break (DSB) repair kinetics in human peripheral blood cells after exposure to ionizing irradiation.\n\nMethodsThe {gamma}-H2AX protocol was optimized for small volumes (100 {micro}l) of blood in Matrix 96-tube format and blood cell lymphocytes were identified and captured by ISX INSPIRE software and analyzed by Data Exploration and Analysis Software.\n\nResultsPresented here are: 1) dose response curves based on {gamma}-H2AX fluorescence intensity and foci number, 2) measurements of DNA repair kinetics up to 24 h after exposure to 4 Gy {gamma} rays and, 3) a mathematical approach for modeling DNA DSB rejoining kinetics using two key parameters a) rate of {gamma}-H2AX decay, and b) yield of residual unrepaired breaks.\n\nConclusionsThe results indicate that the IFC-based {gamma}-H2AX protocol may provide a practical, high-throughput and inexpensive platform for measurements of individual global DSB repair capacity and facilitate the prediction of precision medicine concepts.