Pimonidazole

Pimonidazole is a novel hypoxia marker for complementary study of tumor hypoxia and cell proliferation in tumor^[1]. Pimonidazole accumulates in hypoxic cells via covalent binding with macromolecules or by forming reductive metabolites after reduction of its nitro group, it can be used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of tumor hypoxia ^[2]. In Vitro: Pimonidazole, the exogenous hypoxia marker, is a 2-nitroimidazole compound, which forms covalent bonds with cellular macromolecules at oxygen levels below 1.3%.
Detection: Hypoxic cells were recognized by immunohistochemical detection of pimonidazole using a mouse monoclonal antibody. Cell proliferation was detected with a commercially available monoclonal antibody for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Assessment of hypoxia and cell proliferation was made qualitatively with light microscopy and quantitatively using point counting and image analysis software methods.