The causes and effects of neuronal degeneration are of major interest to a wide variety of neuroscientists. Paralleling this growing interest is an increasing number of methods applicable to the detection of neuronal degeneration. The fluorescent dye Fluoro-Jade B (FJB), like its more purified brother Fluoro-Jade C (FJC), is an anionic fluorescein derivative useful for the histological staining of neurons undergoing degeneration. Fluoro-Jade B differs from FJC in that it is a slightly less refined chemical formulation and thus it does not quite provide the same level of signal to noise or high resolution as FJC. Nonetheless FJB is still widely used and works very well as a marker of degenerating neurons and even glia (see Damjanac M et al., Brain Res. 2007;1128(1):40-9). FJB operates nearly identically in protocol to that of FJC, and Fluoro-Jade B is compatible with several other labeling procedures including immunofluorescent and fluorescent Nissl techniques. Fluoro-Jade B stains all degenerating neurons regardless of specific insult or mechanism of cell death. Fluoro-Jade B exhibits the greatest signal to background ratio, as well as the highest resolution. This translates to a stain of maximal contrast and affinity for degenerating neurons. This makes it ideal for localising not only degenerating nerve cell bodies but also distal dendrites, axons and terminals. The dye is highly resistant to fading and is compatible with virtually all histological processing and staining protocols.
Note: This product is equivalent to discontinued product AG310 from Merck-Millipore.
Alternative NamesFJB, Fluoro-Jade
Application(s)FC, ICC
SpecificityDegenerating neurons, and neuronal degeneration. There is no specific staining in normal healthy brain. Note: Some researchers under some conditions report blood vessel staining with Fluoro Jade. This may be because Fluoro Jade is an analogue of eosin (which stains blood cells). In general, good perfusion and preparation of the tissue should help prevent blood vessel staining but it may not be possible to eliminate it entirely. In our experience it is generally possible to distinguish neuronal from blood vessels staining by eye.
Species ReactivityHuman, Mouse, Other Mammals (Predicted), Rat
Purity DescriptionThin layer chromatograpy using cellulose plates and a solvent system of n-propinol, water, and ammonium hydroxide (6:5:2) revealed the presence of two fluorescent isomers and two trace non-fluorescent bands. No amount of fluorescein or Fluoro-Jade was present.
The causes and effects of neuronal degeneration are of major interest to a wide variety of neuroscientists. Paralleling this growing interest is an increasing number of methods applicable to the detection of neuronal degeneration. The fluorescent dye Fluoro-Jade B (FJB), like its more purified brother Fluoro-Jade C (FJC), is an anionic fluorescein derivative useful for the histological staining of neurons undergoing degeneration. Fluoro-Jade B differs from FJC in that it is a slightly less refined chemical formulation and thus it does not quite provide the same level of signal to noise or high resolution as FJC. Nonetheless FJB is still widely used and works very well as a marker of degenerating neurons and even glia (see Damjanac M et al., Brain Res. 2007;1128(1):40-9). FJB operates nearly identically in protocol to that of FJC, and Fluoro-Jade B is compatible with several other labeling procedures including immunofluorescent and fluorescent Nissl techniques. Fluoro-Jade B stains all degenerating neurons regardless of specific insult or mechanism of cell death. Fluoro-Jade B exhibits the greatest signal to background ratio, as well as the highest resolution. This translates to a stain of maximal contrast and affinity for degenerating neurons. This makes it ideal for localising not only degenerating nerve cell bodies but also distal dendrites, axons and terminals. The dye is highly resistant to fading and is compatible with virtually all histological processing and staining protocols.
Note: This product is equivalent to discontinued product AG310 from Merck-Millipore.
Application DetailsFollowing our detailed protocol, Fluoro-Jade C labels degenerating neurons which are visualised with blue light excitation, while DAPI (not included) counter stains cell nuclei, visualised with ultra-violet illumination. The Fluoro-Jade C dye can be used on all kinds of preserved tissues, including fresh-frozen, paraformaldehyde or formalin fixed, and formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.
TargetDegenerating neurons
SpecificityDegenerating neurons, and neuronal degeneration. There is no specific staining in normal healthy brain. Note: Some researchers under some conditions report blood vessel staining with Fluoro Jade. This may be because Fluoro Jade is an analogue of eosin (which stains blood cells). In general, good perfusion and preparation of the tissue should help prevent blood vessel staining but it may not be possible to eliminate it entirely. In our experience it is generally possible to distinguish neuronal from blood vessels staining by eye.
Target Host SpeciesSpecies Independent
Species ReactivityHuman, Mouse, Other Mammals (Predicted), Rat
Ex/Em MaxFJB visualization is accomplished using blue light or a 488 nm Laser. Excitation Peak: 495 nm Emission Peak: 521 nm Filter system for visualizing: Fluorescein/FITC
Detection MethodFluorescence
Kit ComponentsMaterials Provided:
30 mg Fluoro-Jade B, dry powder Detailed protocol
Equipment and Reagents Required:
Distilled water ACS grade Ethanol (200 proof) for slide & solution preparation 1% sodium hydroxide in 80% ethanol (basic alcohol solution) 0.1% Acetic Acid solution (in water) 70% ethanol in distilled water 0.06% (KMnO4) potassium permanganate solution DAPI powder or 100X solution (working range is 0.5-5 µg/mL) Xylene liquid Staining dishes/Coplin jars Cover slips DPX mounting media or another permanent mounting medium. Non-polar media are preferred over aqueous mounting media such as glycerin/water to obtain high- contrast images (refer to Appendix B in the protocol for a comparative analysis). Traditional fluorescent mounting mediums are not recommended because of their high pH. Slide warmer Convection oven
Purity DescriptionThin layer chromatograpy using cellulose plates and a solvent system of n-propinol, water, and ammonium hydroxide (6:5:2) revealed the presence of two fluorescent isomers and two trace non-fluorescent bands. No amount of fluorescein or Fluoro-Jade was present.
FormatDry, Coffee brown to brick red powder; hygroscopic powder keep dessicated.
Reconstitution InstructionsSpin vial briefly before opening. See product protocol for detailed use instructions.
Storage InstructionsThe powdered dye can be stored desiccated at room temperature in the dark. Storage in a desiccator is recommended as FJB is hydroscopic. The 0.01% stock solution will remain stable for 3 months when stored in a refrigerator, in the dark. The 0.0001-0.0004% working solution in 0.1% acetic acid should be used within 4 hours of preparation. Diluted FJB dye solutions are not stable and should not be stored. The other diluted solutions can be reused and stored for up to 48 hours if refrigerated and protected from light. Best results require freshly diluted solutions.
Batch NumberPlease see item label.
Expiration Date6 months after date of receipt (unopened vial).
Specific ReferencesZhang SN et al. (2023) "Eucommiae Folium and Active Compounds Protect Against Mitochondrial Dysfunction-Calcium Overload in Epileptic Hippocampal Neurons Through the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Pathway" Neurochem Res. ; [Epub ahead of print]; Application: IHC/IF Species: Mouse
Liu Y et al. (2023) "Loureirin C inhibits ferroptosis after cerebral ischemia reperfusion through regulation of the Nrf2 pathway in mice" Phytomedicine. ; [Epub ahead of print]; Application: ICC/FC Species: Mouse
Zhou C et al. (2022) "Gain-of-function of progesterone receptor membrane component 2 ameliorates ischemic brain injury" CNS Neurosci Ther. ; [Epub ahead of print]; Application: ICC/FC Species: Mouse
Ikeda A et al. (2022) "Alteration of the neuronal and glial cell profiles in Neu1-deficient zebrafish" Glycoconj ; [Epub ahead of print]; Application: ICC/FC Species: Zebrafish
Choi I et al. (2022) "Interleukin-17A Mediates Hippocampal Damage and Aberrant Neurogenesis Contributing to Epilepsy-Associated Anxiety" Front. Mol. Neurosci. ; [Epub ahead of print]; Application: ICC/FC Species: Mouse
Cui Y et al. (2022) "Modified Citrus Pectin Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting NLRP Inflammasome Activation via TLR4/NF-ĸB Signaling Pathway in Microglia" J Inflamm. Res. ; 15: 3369-3385; Application: ICC/FC Species: Mouse