Hey, I am analyzing rat chondrocytes via flow cytometry. unfortunately, I treated them to become senescent and they secrete something viscose. How do I get rid of that, not hurting the sample?
Hi Vera
As Hersh indicated, the increased viscosity is probably caused by ECM proteins. However, I am not sure just centrifuging the sample will separate cells from the viscous material unless you first suspend the cells in excess PBS to dilute the ECM proteins. If you are not interested in studying the ECM proteins, I wonder if pre-treating the cells in collagenase to breakdown some of the larger proteins and then wash and resuspend them in PBS before analysis might work? Worth a try.
Good luck
Siva
Most likely this is hyaluronan, a major glycosaminoglycan produced by chondrocytes. I recommend the use of hyaluronidase to help reduce the viscosity.
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