Use of LysoTracker to detect programmed cell death in embryos
and differentiating embryonic stem cells.  J Vis Exp Publication
Year:  Jennifer L Fogel , Thu Zan Tun Thein , Francesca V
Mariani Public Summary:  Scientific Abstract:  Programmed cell
death (PCD) occurs in adults to maintain normal tissue
homeostasis and during embryological development to shape
tissues and organs(1,2,6,7). During development, toxic chemicals
or genetic alterations can cause an increase in PCD or change
PCD patterns resulting in developmental abnormalities and birth
defects(3-5). To understand the etiology of these defects, the
study of embryos can be complemented with in vitro assays that
use differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells. Apoptosis is a
well-studied form of PCD that involves both intrinsic and
extrinsic signaling to activate the caspase enzyme cascade.
Characteristic cell changes include membrane blebbing, nuclear
shrinking, and DNA fragmentation. Other forms of PCD do not
involve caspase activation and may be the e