Analysis and optimization of conditions for the use of 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate in cultured hepatocytes

Megan J. Reiniers, Lianne R. de Haan, Laurens F. Reeskamp, Mans Broekgaarden, Rowan F. van Golen, Michal Heger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Numerous liver pathologies encompass oxidative stress as molecular basis of disease. The use of 2 ,7 -dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH 2-DA) as fluorogenic redox probe is problematic in liver cell lines because of membrane transport proteins that interfere with probe kinetics, among other reasons. The properties of DCFH 2-DA were analyzed in hepatocytes (HepG2, HepaRG) to characterize methodological issues that could hamper data interpretation and falsely skew conclusions. Experiments were focused on probe stability in relevant media, cellular probe uptake/retention/excretion, and basal oxidant formation and metabolism. DCFH 2-DA was used under optimized experimental conditions to intravitally visualize and quantify oxidative stress in real-time in HepG2 cells subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation. The most important findings were that: (1) the non-fluorescent DCFH 2-DA and the fluorescent DCF are rapidly taken up by hepatocytes, (2) DCF is poorly retained in hepatocytes, and (3) DCFH 2 oxidation kinetics are cell type-specific. Furthermore, (4) DCF fluorescence intensity was pH-dependent at pH < 7 and (5) the stability of DCFH 2-DA in cell culture medium relied on medium composition. The use of DCFH 2-DA to measure oxidative stress in cultured hepatocytes comes with methodological and technical challenges, which were characterized and solved. Optimized in vitro and intravital imaging protocols were formulated to help researchers conduct proper experiments and draw robust conclusions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number674
JournalAntioxidants
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2021

Keywords

  • Anoxia and reoxygenation
  • Cellular uptake and export
  • Fluorogenic redox probe
  • Hepatocytes
  • Intravital fluorescence imaging
  • Liver diseases
  • Oxidative and nitrosative stress

Cite this