Histochemical Localization of Apoptosis With In Situ Labeling of Fragmented DNA

Cell death by apoptosis is now recognized widely as an important constituent of cell turnover and disease pathology. Characterized by the cleavage of DNA into oligonucleosome-sized DNA fragments, end-labeling of fragmented DNA often is used as an in situ histological marker of apoptosis. The judicious and appropriate use of this technique therefore provides us with an important tool for assessing cell kinetics. Protocols for both terminal transferase-mediated UTP nick end-labeling, so-called TUNEL, and the combination of TUNEL with immunohistochemical staining are presented here, along with a discussion of its significance and interpretation.