Abraham Schwartz

The Development of Fluorescence Intensity Standards.

The use of fluorescence as an analytical technique has been growing over the last 20 years. A major factor in inhibiting more rapid growth has been the inability to make comparable fluorescence intensity measurements across laboratories. NIST recognizes the need to develop and provide primary fluorescence intensity standard (FIS) reference materials to the scientific and technical communities involved in these assays. The critical component of the effort will be the cooperation between the Federal laboratories, the manufacturers, and the technical personnel who will use the fluorescence intensity standards. We realize that the development and use of FIS will have to overcome many difficulties. However, as we outline in this article, the development of FIS is feasible.

Quantification of EGFP expression on Molt-4 T cells using calibration standards.

Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is used extensively to assess gene expression on cells; however, quantification of this expression by flow cytometry has been limited by the unavailability of calibration standards. Thus, we characterized the response of an experimental set of EGFP calibration standards to environmental changes and then quantitate the expression of EGFP, in molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome (MESF) units, of a transfected Molt‐4 T cell line by flow cytometry.

Chapter 35 Standardization for Flow Cytometry

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the comprehensive perspective of standardization, specifically identifying cell population patterns, quantitating fluorescence intensities, and determining the antibody binding capacity. Attempts at standardizing these parameters have involved descriptions of weak or strong light scatter to describe size and degree of granularity, as well as references to dim or strong fluorescence intensities. The need for developing effective standardization procedures is magnified by the dramatic increase in commercial and custom-built flow cytometers, which collect four, five, or more parameters. The sensitivity and accuracy in comparing cell population patterns over these parameters require that proper standards are available to normalize the performance of the instruments. In turn, the standards need to have characteristics that closely resemble the samples being analyzed, including apparent size, granularity, fluorescence spectra, and intensity. The chapter reviews the status of flow cytometry standardization and suggests several new standardization procedures.

Effects of Endogenous Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) on Macrophage Phagocytosis

Although several studies have indicated that antidiuretic hormone (ADH) enhances the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in shock syndromes, it remains unknown what influence ADH exerts upon the individual phagocytic components of this system. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the effects of endogenous ADH on the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage cells. As a phagocytic stimuli, fluorescent methacrylate microbeads were injected intraperitoneally into Brattleboro (ADH deficient) and normal Long Evans rats in the presence and absence of exogenous ADH. Peritoneal cells were harvested 19-22 hr after the administration of the microbeads and the percent phagocytosis was determined in macrophage cells using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS II). Our results indicate that the percentage of peritoneal macrophages ingesting the fluorescent methacrylate microbeads was significantly reduced in the absence of ADH (Brattleboro rats: 5.4 +/- 0.6% versus Long Evans rats: 16.8 +/- 2.3%; p less than 0.001). In addition, our data demonstrate that exogenous administration of ADH significantly enhanced macrophage phagocytosis in Brattleboro (14.7 +/- 2.2%) and normal Long Evans (49.6 +/- 4.5%) rats. These data suggest, for the first time, that endogenous ADH might play a modulatory role in the phagocytic activity of a specific component of the RES, namely, the macrophage cell.

In Vivo Effects of Prostaglandin E2 and Arachidonic Acid on Phagocytosis of Fluorescent Methacrylate Microbeads by Rat Peritoneal Macrophages

Several studies have suggested that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) might influence the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells. The present study was designed to examine the in vivo effects of PGE2, the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor meclofenamate, the prostaglandin precursor arachidonic acid, and the biologically inactive fatty acid 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid on phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophage cells in the rat. Following 3 days of treatment with either agent, fluorescent methacrylate microbeads were injected intraperitoneally into all rats. Peritoneal exudates were harvested after administration of the microbeads and the percent phagocytosis determined in macrophage cells using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS II). The administration of PGE2 was associated with a significant decrease in the percentage of peritoneal macrophages ingesting the fluorescent methacrylate microbeads. In contrast, treatment with arachidonic acid or 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid significantly enhanced the percentage of phagocytic macrophage cells. A significant increase in the number of macrophages undergoing phagocytosis of the methacrylate microbeads was also observed in rats treated with meclofenamate. This later observation, taken together with the inhibitory effect induced by PGE2 on macrophage phagocytosis, points to a potential modulator role of PGE2 on the phagocytic activity of macrophages. These data also suggest that arachidonic acid might influence macrophage phagocytosis by a mechanism independent of PGE2.