#Nih imagej software function free#

Indeed, other morphological features of apoptosis occur in the absence of detectable DNA fragmentation or a decrease in DNA content. These morphological changes can be observed by light microscopy and are correlated initially with large and subsequently, very small chromosomal DNA fragments. Д¬ells in advanced stages of apoptosis exhibit morphological changes characterized by nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation and cell fragmentation into membrane bound apoptotic bodies. When cells are stained appropriately, visual analysis can reveal biological mechanisms. Д®xamining cells by microscopy has long been a primary method for studying cellular function. Cell death kinetics can be measured by counting the number of cells and/ or area occupied on each culture dish by analyzing images taken at different moments of their evolution, apoptosis leads to condensation and fragmentation of cell bodies, producing regions populated with unstructured smaller objects. The rate of cell apoptosis is a significant parameter in many experiments involving cell cultures. The triggering of apoptosis requires the activation of specific enzymes called caspases, differently associated as inactive form with signal transduction complexes or with cellular organelles. Induction of apoptosis is due to the absence of specific interactions between transmembrane receptors of the integrin family and extracellular matrix proteins. It occurs during development and regulation of tissue homeostasis or as a result of changes in environmental stimuli. The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:ДЄpoptosis is an active process of self-destruction, whereby cells undergo physiological cell death. ImageJ 1.43 n may therefore provide a useful tool for the assessment and discrimination of apoptotic cells. Consequently, a quantitative measure of apoptosis can be obtained that is linked to morphological changes.

#Nih imagej software function free#

Nuclear area factor can be calculated using powerful free and open-source software. NAF was the most reliable parameter in assessment of apoptosis. Image analysis results correlated positively and significantly with the results obtained by cell viability assay (R = 0.958, P-value = 0.042). This decrease was assumed to indicate DNA loss. Some of the other studied parameters showed also the same trend. Image analysis revealed a progressive and highly significant decrease in nuclear area factor detected in apoptotic cells and in cells suspected of undergoing apoptosis compared to the control cells (P-values < 0.01). Cell viability assay and nuclear image analysis of stained Hep2 cells were used to discriminate apoptotic cells and cells suspected to be undergoing apoptosis from control cells based on parameters such as nuclear area, circularity, perimeter and nuclear area factor (NAF), in association with visual morphology. Study DesignД¬isplatin in different concentrations was used to induce apoptosis in cultured Hep2 cells. To verify the efficacy of ImageJ 1.43 n in determining the extent of apoptosis which is a complex and multistep process.