How do you process ascites sample from mice ? - (Jan/13/2014 )

Hi,

We aim to examine mouse ascites ( peritoneal fluid) with tPA & PAI-1 commercial ELISA kits.

FYI,

tPA & PAI-1 are proteins secreted by endothelial cells,

and the antibodies of these kits will recognize the total proteins instead of functional domains.

Could anyone experienced please tell me how to preserve the ascites in order to maintain the proteins for the ELISA assays ?

That would be details such as additive, temperature, buffer, or any others you can think of.

Thanks a lot in advance !

My only familiarity with ascites is as a method of monoclonal antibody production so I'm not sure if this will be helpful but, since antibodies are proteins :), I think it is applicable.  For short term storage, 4C is ok as long as tapping was done with asceptic technique otherwise add sodium azide.  I've typically frozen ascites for long term storage.  There doesn't seem to be a detrimental effect on the antibody but the ascites when thawed is even less nice to work with than usual.