Lipid droplets are essential intracellular organelles responsible for energy storage. Metabolic abnormalities in lipid droplets are closely linked to major diseases such as obesity and fatty liver disease. Traditional lipid droplet probes can only report on their morphology and location but offer no insight into their internal lipid composition. Bio-Vision Technology introduces a high-performance fluorescent probe – LD660, an ultrasensitive fluorescent probe for lipid droplet polarity.
What is LD660?
LD660 is a far-red fluorescent probe that specifically targets intracellular lipid droplets. It rapidly stains lipid droplets in living cells, fixed cells, and tissue sections – with no washing steps required, greatly simplifying experimental workflows.
High-Performance Imaging
LD660 exhibits excellent fluorescence brightness, enabling high-resolution imaging of lipid droplet morphology, quantity, and distribution. The probe's fluorescence lifetime changes according to the ratio of triglycerides to cholesterol esters within lipid droplets. Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM), researchers can perform in situ, quantitative analysis of lipid droplet composition.
Key Advantages Over BODIPY 493/503 and Nile Red
| Feature | LD660 Advantage |
|---|---|
| Large Stokes shift | Significantly reduces spectral cross-talk and background fluorescence, achieving higher contrast images |
| Far-red emission | Compatible with multicolor imaging for studying organelle interactions |
| Excellent targeting | No cross-talk with other organelles |
| Fast and wash-free | Simplifies protocols, saves time |
| Polarity-sensitive fluorescence lifetime | Enables FLIM-based in situ quantification of cholesterol esters and lipid composition |
| Broad sample compatibility | Works in live cells, fixed cells, and tissue sections |
Application Scenarios
Lipid Storage Diseases (e.g., Fatty Liver Disease)
LD660 can visually reveal lipid composition heterogeneity within different cell types (such as hepatocytes and macrophages). This provides a new perspective and powerful technical tool for understanding the cellular mechanisms of lipid metabolism disorders and assessing disease progression.
Drug Screening and Evaluation
Assess the effects of drug candidates on lipid metabolism.
Lipid Droplet Heterogeneity Analysis
Study compositional differences among individual lipid droplets within the same cell population.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What makes LD660 different from traditional lipid droplet probes like BODIPY 493/503 or Nile Red?
A1: Traditional probes primarily report lipid droplet morphology and location. LD660 goes further – its fluorescence lifetime is sensitive to lipid polarity, allowing you to quantify internal lipid composition (e.g., triglyceride vs. cholesterol ester ratios) using FLIM, while also offering far-red emission, a large Stokes shift, and a wash-free protocol.
Q2: Do I need to wash cells after staining with LD660?
A2: No. LD660 is designed for wash-free staining. Simply add the probe to your sample, incubate briefly, and image. This saves time and reduces sample loss.
Q3: Can LD660 be used for multicolor imaging?
A3: Yes. LD660 emits in the far-red region, making it compatible with green, orange, and red fluorophores for simultaneous imaging of multiple organelles or targets.
Q4: Does LD660 work in fixed cells and tissue sections?
A4: Yes. LD660 performs well in live cells, fixed cells, and tissue sections, offering broad applicability across different experimental models.
Q5: How does LD660 enable quantitative analysis of lipid composition?
A5: The fluorescence lifetime of LD660 changes based on the polarity of the lipid droplet environment, which reflects the ratio of triglycerides to cholesterol esters. By measuring fluorescence lifetime using FLIM, you can quantify lipid composition in situ without extracting the lipids.
Q6: What diseases can be studied with LD660?
A6: LD660 is particularly useful for studying lipid metabolism-related diseases such as obesity, fatty liver disease (steatosis), atherosclerosis, and other lipid storage disorders. It helps reveal cellular heterogeneity in lipid accumulation.
Q7: Is LD660 compatible with high-throughput screening?
A7: Yes. The wash-free protocol and stable fluorescence signal make LD660 suitable for high-content screening and automated imaging platforms for drug discovery applications.
Q8: What are the recommended storage conditions for LD660?
A8: Follow the product datasheet instructions. Generally, store protected from light at -20°C or 4°C as specified. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Q9: Where can I find the detailed protocol for LD660 staining?
A9: A detailed protocol is available upon request. Contact us with your cell type or tissue sample specifications, and we can provide optimized staining recommendations.
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