Re: Best concentration of formaldehyde for phenotyping

From: Simon Monard (smonard@trudeauinstitute.org)
Date: Tue Feb 19 2002 - 09:07:54 EST


The cells are fixed after FACS Lysis treatment, you could use a lower concentration
of formaldehyde, 0.5 or 1%. You can also wash the fixative out after an hour or two
and suspend your cells in PBS, the cells will remain in pretty good shape for a few
days or longer. Often after formaldehyde fixation the autofluorescence of all cells
increases gradually, washing the fixative out prevents this.

Best wishes





Simon Monard
FACS Lab Manager
Trudeau Institute
Saranac Lake
NY12983

Ph 518 891 3080 X352


>>> Lorrie Epling <lepling@medsfgh.ucsf.edu> - 2/14/02 3:37 PM >>>

Dear Purdue site:

Currently we use a 1:4 dilution of methanol free, EM grade, 10%
formalin in PBS as a fixative for immunophenotyping of human blood.
We have some preliminary evidence that this concentration is
contributing to a decrease in fluorescence for CD45RA Fitc when
analyzed at 24 hours.

A literature review indicates this is a stronger concentration than
the norm (0.5, 1.0 or 2%).  Our specimens are processed with either
FACS Lysis or Coulter Immunoprep, then fixed.  Any opinions or
suggestions concerning what concentration best preserves as well as
inactivates viral components?

Thanks.

Lorrie Epling
Laboratory Supervisor
UCSF/SFGH Core Immunology Lab
General Clinical Research Center
Phone 415-476-5279
Fax 415-206-8200



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