Cell Proliferation Kit I (MTT)

Uses

The Cell Proliferation Kit I (MTT) is used for the nonradioactive, spectrophotometric quantification of cell proliferation and viability in cell populations using the 96-well-plate format. It can be used for:

• Measurement of cell proliferation in response to growth factors, cytokines, mitogens, and nutrients
• Analysis of cytotoxic and cytostatic compounds, such as anti-cancer drugs and other pharmaceutical compounds
• Assessment of growth-inhibitory antibodies and physiological mediators
• Testing of biocompatibility of various scaffolds, employed in bone tissue engineering, for bone cell growth

General Description

The Cell Proliferation Kit I (MTT) is a colorimetric assay for the nonradioactive quantification of cellular proliferation, viability, and cytotoxicity. Sample material is either adherent or suspension cells cultured in 96-well microplates.

Colorimetric assays analyze the number of viable cells by the cleavage of tetrazolium salts added to the culture medium. This technique requires neither washing nor harvesting of cells, and the complete assay, from microculture to data analysis by an ELISA reader, is performed in the same microplate.
MTT was the first tetrazolium salt described. It is cleaved to formazan by enzymes of the endoplasmic reticulum. This bioreduction occurs in viable cells only, and is related to NAD(P)H production through glycolysis. Therefore, the amount of formazan dye formed directly correlates to the number of metabolically active cells in the culture.

Colorimetric assay (MTT based) for the nonradioactive quantification of cellular proliferation, viability, and cytotoxicity.