An ELISA-based method for the quantification of incorporated BrdU as a measure of cell proliferation in vivo.

In this study, we describe a new rapid and versatile method to determine the BrdU content of DNA in brain tissues dissected from BrdU-treated rats. Different to already existing BrdU ELISAs the method is suitable for the assessment of BrdU incorporation in ex vivo experiments as it is based on the analysis of tissue extracts instead of immobilized cells. The method comprises the preparation of DNA extracts from dissected tissues, the immobilization of BrdU-containing DNA with an anti-BrdU antibody and quantification of the incorporated BrdU by a peroxidase-conjugated anti-BrdU antibody.