Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. It is a highly regulated and controlled process that occurs normally during development and aging as a homeostatic mechanism to maintain cell populations.
Autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by preventing the accumulation of damaged organelles by disassembling unnecessary or dysfunctional cells and cellular components. Autophagy occurs at low levels in the cell under normal conditions and can be rapidly upregulated during times of starvation or stress.
ICT offers a full line of products to detect apoptosis, including FLICA, FLIVO, Annexin kits and more; our Autophagy Assay - Red Fluorescent enables researchers to detect and monitor the in vitro development of autophagy in living cells.
![Figure 1. THP-1 cells were treated with either a negative control (A), or PMA (5 ng/mL) followed by LPS (10 ng/mL). Cells were then stained with FAM-YVAD-FMK (cat. 97/98) and analyzed by phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy. In the treated sample, many cells appear bright green, indicating increased caspase-1 activity (B). In the non-induced sample, few green cells are visible, indicating a low level of caspase-1 activity (A). Data courtesy of Dr. Brian Lee, ICT (207:11).](http://www.antibodiesinc.com/cdn/shop/files/97_figure_1_{width}x.jpg?v=1709768665)
![Figure 1. Flow cytometry analysis of active caspase-9 in MDA-MB-231 (A,B) and ZR-75-1 (C,D) cells. Cells were stained with FAM-FLICA® Caspase-9 reagent. From Figure 5 of R. Krętowski and M. Cechowska-Pasko, The Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Induces Apoptosis, Autophagy and Cell Cycle Arrest in Breast Cancer Cells, Int J Mol Sci (2022) 23, 9285. Used under the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Copyright © 2022 by the authors.](http://www.antibodiesinc.com/cdn/shop/files/912_figure_1_{width}x.jpg?v=1709768679)
![Figure 1. Suspension Jurtkat cells were treated with DMSO (control, A) or 1 µM staurosporine (B) for 4 hours at 37°C, then stained with SR-LETD-FMK (kit cat. 9149/9150) for 1 hour at 37°C. Cells were washed three times and slides prepared. Treated cells appear bright red, indicating a high level of caspase-8 activity (B). Few non-induced cells are red, indicating minimal caspase-8 activity (A, Non-Induced, left). Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy, ICT (220:68, 121815).](http://www.antibodiesinc.com/cdn/shop/files/9149_figure_1_{width}x.jpg?v=1709768859)
![Figure 1. Excitation and emission spectra. Red Fluorescent SR In vivo Poly (active) Caspase (VAD) Assay inhibitor probe was reconstituted in DMSO, diluted in an aqueous buffer, and then analyzed on a Molecular Devices M5e plate reader. The excitation spectrum (black) was generated using an emission of 630 nm. The emission spectrum (orange) was generated using an excitation of 540 nm. The probe optimally excites at 550-580 nm and has a peak emission at 590-600 nm.](http://www.antibodiesinc.com/cdn/shop/files/982_figure_1_{width}x.jpg?v=1709769416)
![Figure 2. Mice were given either a 0Gy or 15Gy whole lung dose of gamma irradiation. SR in vivo probe (Cat. 982/983) was injected and allowed to circulate for 18 hours prior to sacrifice. Paraffin sections were prepared, nuclei stained with DAPI (blue), and lungs imaged with a fluorescence microscope. Caspase activity (red) was induced in irradiated mice compared to control animals. Data courtesy of E. Hernady (University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY).](http://www.antibodiesinc.com/cdn/shop/files/982_figure_2_{width}x.jpg?v=1709769416)