what is the acceptable limit of DMSO percentage in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 for dissolving compounds? i am using 0.2 % DMSO for Annexin V/ PI assay, TUNEL assay and immunocytochemistry and getting a little background. is it acceptable ?
Dear Rehab
That level of DMSO for those breast tumour lines should be fine
Generally speaking a final DMSO concentration of up to 1% is acceptable
We tried the concentrations of DMSO up to 1% in many cell lines, also in MCF-7 and MDA-MB231. 0.2% should be fine.
Usually we avoid higher concentrations than 0.5% if we have to incubate cells in such concentrations for longer, as the cells do not like the higher ones. They may survive, but cell growth could be delayed.
I agree with Laurence, mostly. 1% can be somewhat high for some cell lines, but generally tolerated. I usually prefer 0.05-0.1%. 0.2% should be fine too.
Dear Rehab,
We used the concentrations of DMSO up to 0.5%. 0.1-0.2% should be fine. Usually we avoid higher concentrations than 0.2%. Finally you must use different concentrations in the specific cell lines you growth and you decide.
I fully agree with Joan Vilena that 0.5 % of DMSO is the highest concentation acceptable
In my experience, MCF-7s and 231s are very hardy and can tolerate high DMSO percentages. I agree with everyone here and recommend staying below ~0.6% as final DMSO concentration but up to 1% is acceptable.
I agree with the above. 0.1-0.2% should be good for MDA-MB-231 cells.
QUESTION: I am currently doing MTT assay on MDA-MB 231s and I treat the cells with 0.2% of DMSO (vehicle control). the problem is that the DMSO seems to increase cell viability (above 100% as compared to my untreated cells). I have done this assays a number of times and I keep getting the same results. I encountered the same problem previously when I was using CasKi cervical cancer cells. What could be the reason for this and how can i fix it. please help!
Dolly, it has happened to me before. DMSO treatment controls are unpredictable. I'd try 0.1% (provided that's the highest DMSO % in your treatment conditions) and if the problem persists, normalize the readings to DMSO. Also be mindful when plating (changing tips to prevent tiny variations in pipetted volumes) as ever so slight differences in cell numbers in your controls can skew your readings- this sorted it out for me.
- Badges
- Science topic