The comet assay to determine the mode of cell death for the ultrasonic delivery of doxorubicin to human leukemia (HL-60 Cells) from Pluronic P105 micelles

This notes examines the mode of cell death of HL-60 cells exposed to 70 kHz and 1.3 W/cm(2) ultrasound in the presence of 1% Pluronic P105 and 1.67 microg/ml doxorubicin (Dox). The cells were ultrasonicated for 30, 60, and 120 minutes. They were then lysed, electrophorised, stained using propidium iodide, and their DNA profile captured using a fluorescent microscope. The gradual DNA damage observed and the comet tails captured after one and two hours of insonation suggest that the mode of cell killing is apoptosis.