Re: Paraformaldehyde and autofluorescence.

Simon Monard (Simon_Monard@adarc.org)
6 Mar 97 10:49:00

I use Tousimis formaldehyde solution, it comes as 10X10ml vials (cat number
1008A phone 301 881 2450). I've found it pretty good in the autofluorescence
department if you make it up fresh. A post fixation proceedure you can use is
to wash your cells in PBS after fixation, the cells will still be preserved for
a week or two and increases in autofluorescence are minimal.

Simon Monard
Aaron Diamond Center
New York

immunolo @ courrier.usherb.ca (IMMUNO-SHERBROOKE)
03/05/97 02:25 PM
To: cyto-inbox
cc:
Subject: Paraformaldehyde and autofluorescence.

Dear colleagues,
I perform immunophenotyping of human lymphocytes by flow cytometry.
I use 1% paraformaldehyde solution (PFA; Sigma) in PBS for cell fixation.
The autofluorescence of fixed cell exited at 488nm is increased 6-7 fold
comparing to nonfixed control.
1. Can someone suggest me an alternative PFA source which gives
minimal autofluorescence?
2. Can someone suggest me a post-fixation protocol which reduces
PFA-fixed cell autofluorescence?
Thank you.
Dr. L. Volkov