Pyroptosis/Caspase-1 Assay - Far Red Fluorescent

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This Pyroptosis/Caspase-1 Assay Kit utilizes our FLICA® technology to assess pyroptotic cells by detecting caspase-1 activation. Analyze the far-red fluorescent signal using flow cytometry or fluorescence microscope.

Figure 1. Signals leading to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Figure 2. THP-1 cells were treated with PMA (5 ng/mL) followed by LPS (100 ng/mL for 1 hour, lower row of images), or were untreated (upper row of images), and were then immediately stained with 660-YVAD-FMK for 1 hour at 37°C (concurrent with treatment). Cells were then stained with Hoechst 33342 and imaged. Intracellular caspase-1 activity was detected using Cy5 (Ex 620/60, Em 700/75) and DAPI (Ex 375/28, Em 460/50) LED filter cubes at 20X. Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy (ICT 230:32).
Figure 3. THP-1 cells were spiked with 660-YVAD-FMK and then treated either with LPS (1 µg/mL for 3 hours), Nigericin (20 µM for 30 minutes), or LPS + Nigericin (1 µg/mL LPS for 3 hours, followed by 20 µM Nigericin for 30 minutes). Cells were analyzed by flow cytometer. LPS or Nigericin increased caspase-1 activity approx. 4-fold compared to the negative control. LPS + Nigericin increased caspase-1 activity almost 2-fold over either treatment alone. Data courtesy of Mrs. T. Murphy, ICT (220:95).
Figure 4. Jurkat cells were treated with a negative control (Panels A-C), or nigericin (10 µM) to induce NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 activation (Panels D-F). Samples were stained with 660-YVAD-FMK, followed by Hoechst 33342 (to label nuclei). Significant caspase-1 activity is seen only after nigericin treatment (D). Panels C & F are overlays of the blue fluorescence, red fluorescence, and DIC channels into a single combined image. Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy, ICT (220:98).
Figure 5. A common pool of Jurkat cells was spiked with 660-YVAD-FMK and divided into separate treatment groups. Samples were treated with 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µM Nigericin and incubated at 37°C for 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours. Cells were then washed and analyzed by flow cytometer. Caspase-1 activity correlated with both the duration of exposure and the nigericin concentration. Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy, ICT (230:01).
Figure 1. Signals leading to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Figure 1. Signals leading to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Figure 2. THP-1 cells were treated with PMA (5 ng/mL) followed by LPS (100 ng/mL for 1 hour, lower row of images), or were untreated (upper row of images), and were then immediately stained with 660-YVAD-FMK for 1 hour at 37°C (concurrent with treatment). Cells were then stained with Hoechst 33342 and imaged. Intracellular caspase-1 activity was detected using Cy5 (Ex 620/60, Em 700/75) and DAPI (Ex 375/28, Em 460/50) LED filter cubes at 20X. Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy (ICT 230:32).
Figure 3. THP-1 cells were spiked with 660-YVAD-FMK and then treated either with LPS (1 µg/mL for 3 hours), Nigericin (20 µM for 30 minutes), or LPS + Nigericin (1 µg/mL LPS for 3 hours, followed by 20 µM Nigericin for 30 minutes). Cells were analyzed by flow cytometer. LPS or Nigericin increased caspase-1 activity approx. 4-fold compared to the negative control. LPS + Nigericin increased caspase-1 activity almost 2-fold over either treatment alone. Data courtesy of Mrs. T. Murphy, ICT (220:95).
Figure 4. Jurkat cells were treated with a negative control (Panels A-C), or nigericin (10 µM) to induce NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 activation (Panels D-F). Samples were stained with 660-YVAD-FMK, followed by Hoechst 33342 (to label nuclei). Significant caspase-1 activity is seen only after nigericin treatment (D). Panels C & F are overlays of the blue fluorescence, red fluorescence, and DIC channels into a single combined image. Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy, ICT (220:98).
Figure 5. A common pool of Jurkat cells was spiked with 660-YVAD-FMK and divided into separate treatment groups. Samples were treated with 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µM Nigericin and incubated at 37°C for 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours. Cells were then washed and analyzed by flow cytometer. Caspase-1 activity correlated with both the duration of exposure and the nigericin concentration. Data courtesy of Mrs. Tracy Murphy, ICT (230:01).

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Product Manual
Safety Data Sheet

SKU: 9158

Size: 25 Tests
1-2 business days
Price:
$372.00

Exposure of inflammatory effector cells like monocytes and macrophages to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS), such as viral or bacterial DNA or RNA and bacterial cell wall components like LPS, will typically trigger conformational changes in NACHT leucine-rich repeat protein family (NLRP) proteins. Of the inflammasomes, the NLRP3 inflammasome is the most studied. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome follows exposure to PAMPS (first signal) and ATP (second signal) (Figure 1). This leads to oligomerization and assembly of a high molecular weight (~700 kDa) multimeric inflammasome complex, which leads to the conversion of pro-caspase-1 into the catalytically active form. Inflammatory caspases, such as caspase-1, or interleukin- converting enzyme, play a central role in innate immunity by recognizing foreign danger signals and initiating a two-fold response. First, caspase-1, proteolytically converts the proforms of the two important pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin 18 (IL-18), into their active forms, which are secreted. Second, caspase-1 or caspase-11 triggers a form of lytic, programmed cell death known as pyroptosis.

Pyroptosis is a highly inflammatory form of programmed cell death that occurs most frequently upon infection with intracellular pathogens and is likely to form part of the antimicrobial immune response. This pathway is distinct from apoptotic cell death in that it results in plasma-membrane rupture and the release of pro- inflammatory cytokines; infected cells eventually swell, burst, and die. This, in turn, attracts other immune cells to fight the infection, leading to inflammation of the tissue, and, in a functional response, rapid clearance of bacterial or viral infections.

Our Pyroptosis/Caspase-1 Assay Kit utilizes our popular FLICA® technology to detect caspase-1 activation. FLICA probes are cell permeant noncytotoxic Fluorescent Labeled Inhibitors of CAspases that covalently bind with active caspase enzymes. The kit contains the caspase-1 inhibitor reagent 660-YVAD-FMK, which has the preferred binding sequence for caspase-1, Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp (YVAD)7. This preferred caspase-1 binding sequence is labeled with a far-red fluorescent dye and linked to a fluoromethyl ketone (FMK) reactive entity. Caspase-1 will not cleave the FLICA inhibitor probe; instead, it forms an irreversible covalent bond with the FMK group on the reagent and becomes inhibited from further enzymatic activity.

To use FLICA, add it directly to the cell culture medium, incubate, and wash. FLICA is cell-permeant and will efficiently diffuse in and out of all cells. If there is an active caspase-1 enzyme inside the cell, it will covalently bind with 660-YVAD-FMK and retain the far red fluorescent signal within the cell. Unbound FLICA will diffuse out of the cell during the subsequent wash steps. Therefore, positive cells will retain a higher concentration of FLICA and fluoresce brighter than negative cells. There is no interference from pro-caspases or inactive forms of the enzymes. After labeling with FLICA, cells can be counter-stained with other reagents and fixed or frozen.

Cells labeled with 660-YVAD-FMK can be counter-stained with reagents such as the red live/dead stains Propidium Iodide (catalog #638) and 7-AAD (catalog #6163). Nuclear morphology may be concurrently observed using Hoechst 33342 (included in the kit), a blue DNA-binding dye. Cells can be viewed through a fluorescence microscope (Figures 2 and 4) or flow cytometer (Figures 3 and 5). FLICA 660 optimally excites at 660 nm and has a peak emission at 685-690 nm.

Nigericin, a potent microbial toxin derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, acts as a potassium ionophore, inducing a net decrease in intracellular levels of potassium which is crucial for oligomerization of the NLRP3 inflammasome and activation of caspase-1. Nigericin requires signaling through pannexin-1 to induce caspase-1 activation and IL-1ß processing and release. Nigericin is included in this kit as a positive control. It has been shown to generate a robust caspase-1 activation response in various cell lines, including Jurkat and THP-1 cells (Figures 3-5).

FLICA® is for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

660-YVAD-FMK
Caspase 1
660 nm / 690 nm
Flow cytometry, Fluorescence microscope
Cell culture
2-8°C
Domestic: Overnight Delivery; International: Priority Shipping
United States
  1. Prepare samples and controls.
  2. Dilute 10X Cellular Assay Buffer 1:10 with diH2O.
  3. Reconstitute FLICA with 50 µL DMSO.
  4. Dilute FLICA 1:5 by adding 200 µL PBS.
  5. Add diluted FLICA to each sample at 1:30-1:60 (e.g., spike at 1:30 by adding 10 µL to 290 µL sample).
  6. Incubate approximately 1 hour.
  7. Remove media and wash cells 3 times: add 1X Cellular Wash Buffer and spin cells.
  8. Resuspend cell pellet in 1X Cellular Wash Buffer.
  9. If desired, label with additional stains, such as Hoechst 33342, DAPI, or an antibody.
  10. If desired, fix cells.
  11. Analyze with a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometer. FLICA 660 is excited at 660 nm and emits at 680-690 nm.
  • 1 vial of 660-YVAD-FMK caspase-1 inhibitor reagent, #6323
  • 1 bottle of 10X Cellular Wash Buffer (15 mL), #6164
  • 1 bottle of Fixative (6 mL), #636
  • 1 vial of Hoechst 33342, 200 μg/mL (1 mL), #639
  • 1 vial of Nigericin, 0.5 μmoles, #6698

    • Product Specific References

    PMID Publication
    38412254Cai, H., et al. 2024. ALOX5 drives the pyroptosis of CD4+ T cells and tissue inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Science signaling, eadh1178.
    38273310Zhang, J., et al. 2024. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 regulates CD4+ T cells pyroptosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis research & therapy, 36.
    37559090Mao, X, et al. 2023. SMAD2 inhibits pyroptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes and secretion of inflammatory factors via the TGF-β pathway in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis research & therapy, 144.

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