Filipin staining
- Description
- Free cholesterol accumulation is determined qualitatively in cultured cells which have been pre-incubated in media containing lipoprotein deficient serum and subsequently challenged with media containing pure low density lipoprotein. These cells are fixed and treated with filipin, an antibiotic which forms a fluorescent complex with free cholesterol. Slides are then examined by fluorescence microscopy.
- Related condition
- Reference range
- Simultaneous assay controls quoted
- Synonyms
- Filipin only, Niemann-Pick, NPC
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Reference Services : Guy's Hospital
- Laboratory
- Biochemical Genetics
- Sample type and volume required
- Cultured cells
- Call in advance
- No
- Storage and transport
- Collect skin biopsies into sterile saline or sterile culture media containing fetal bovine serum and send by first class post or courier. Do not freeze. Mycoplasma testing is carried out as standard.
- Turnaround time
- 4 weeks from cultured cells, additional 8 weeks (minimum) from skin biopsy
- Contacts
Biochemical Genetics Laboratory at Guy’s Hospital
Phone: 020 7188 2592
Email: MetabolicEnzymes@synnovis.co.uk
Genetics Department
Tower Wing – 5th Floor
Guy’s Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT