Alkaline Comet Assay using the monocytic cell line THP-1
Abstract This protocol details the experimental procedure for performing the comet assay, a very sensitive DNA break assay based on single cell gel electrophoresis.The analysis of DNA strand breaks, both single- and double-strand breaks (SSBs and DSBs, respectively), was performed in immune responsive cells. The cell line used was the human monocytic cell line THP-1, an adherent cell type with many known applications in in vitro studies of innate immunity. The comet assay is a robust procedure that allows the accurate and reproducible quantification of DNA damage. Here we describe not only the comet assay step-by-step protocol, but also some important aspects related to troubleshooting.