Progress in the histochemistry of elastic fibres.
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Elastic Tissue↗
Biomedical subjects
S L Mera
Publications and source records attributed to S L Mera.
Lectin binding to elastic fibres and associated components during development of the human aorta.
A panel of peroxidase-conjugated lectins was used to stain frozen sections of human foetal, neonatal, infant and adult aortae. Two main distinctive staining patterns were observed at the light microscope level, depending on the lectin employed. Lectins from Concanavalin A, Triticum vulgaris, Arachis hypogaea and Glycine max resulted in staining of the surfaces of aortic elastic lamellae and the interlamellar areas. With lectins from Dolichos biflorus and Bandeiraea simplicifolia staining was seen predominantly in the interlamellar areas. The findings indicate the presence of several different glycoconjugates at various sites within the aorta. In addition, there were alterations in the lectin binding affinities of the aortae that were dependent upon age. The findings are interpreted as indicating sequential changes in the composition of glycoprotein or proteoglycan moieties in the development of the human aorta.
Adult↗
The effects of preliminary proteolysis on the immunohistochemical and dye staining properties of elastic fibres.
Antibodies to alpha-elastin peptides, amyloid P component, lysozyme and plasma protease inhibitors have been used in an immunoperoxidase method to stain elastic fibres in frozen sections of human breast tissues. A loss of immunoreactivity seen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections was reversed by a preliminary proteolysis. Differences in the tinctorial dye and immunohistochemical staining patterns following proteolysis by a variety of enzymes suggests a selective unmasking or removal of elastic fibre components and thus the presence of separate binding sites for individual antibodies and tinctorial dyes. Antibody blocking experiments and double immunoenzymatic labelling support the existence of several different epitopes within elastic fibres.
Amyloid↗
Preferential lectin binding to specific layers of rat oral epithelium and modification by enzyme pretreatment.
Three fluorescein-labeled lectins were shown to bind differentially to cell surfaces in different epithelial layers of rat oral mucosa regardless of the age or the site of origin of the tissue. Griffonia simplicifolia (GS-1-B4), specific for alpha-D-galactosyl end groups, labeled basal cells only; Ulex europeus (Ulex 1) specific for alpha-L-fucosyl groups labeled spinous cells; and Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSII), specific for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, labeled cornified cells. Pretreatment of sections with alpha-galactosidase completely abolished the staining of basal cells by GS-1-B4, but had no effect on the staining of spinous cells by Ulex 1. In contrast, alpha-fucosidase abolished the staining of spinous cells by Ulex 1 and caused staining of both basal and spinous cells by GS-1-B4. Neuraminidase and chondroitinase ABC produced results similar to one another, with staining of basal cells by GS-1-B4 and labeling of both basal and spinous cells with Ulex 1. beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and testicular hyaluronidase did not affect the staining pattern of GS-1-B4 or Ulex 1, whereas chymotrypsin completely abolished any staining with either lectin. The results demonstrate a complex arrangement of cell surface carbohydrates in the epithelium of rat oral mucosa. The findings indicate a possible simplification in the spatial arrangements of cell surface carbohydrates during the differentiation of basal to spinous cells.
Animals↗
Differential Congo red staining: the effects of pH, non-aqueous solvents and the substrate.
Congo red is an acid-base indicator dye. In free solution the colour and absorption characteristics of Congo red depend not only on the pH but are also governed by the nature of the solvent environment. In tissue sections stained by Congo red, alteration of the pH and the use of non-aqueous solvents can effect differential colouring of the tissue components. Stained sections of unmodified and chemically substituted celluloses show that differential red or blue coloration reflects the acidic or basic character of the substrate. In stained tissue sections, secondary protein structure and porosity of the substrate may also influence their colour. The effect of non-aqueous solvents is probably to modify the ionization state of the dye-substrate complex, thus altering the colour of the Congo red. Such solvents may also change the aggregation or solvation states of the dye, with consequent modification in the colour of tissue components.
Congo Red↗
Lysozyme is a component of human vascular elastic fibers.
Lysozyme has been demonstrated in the elastic fibers of normal human arteries and veins by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Preliminary trypsinization of paraffin sections is necessary to unmask the immunoreactive lysozyme.
Animals↗
Angiosarcoma in irradiated post-mastectomy chest wall.
A 61-year-old woman developed an angiosarcoma in the irradiated chest wall 2 1/2 and 4 years after mastectomy for a carcinoma of breast. The two sets of tumours were morphologically distinct and differed immunohistochemically. The short interval between post-operative irradiation and presentation of the angiosarcoma is unusual. The case is discussed in relation to others of allied type.
Breast Neoplasms↗
Pathological evaluation of computed tomography images of lungs.
A method is described which allows the features seen in images generated during computed tomography (CT) of lungs previously removed at necropsy to be compared with those seen in corresponding thin sections made from the same lungs. After removal from the body, lungs were inflation-fixed using warm formalin vapour before being x-rayed and then scanned in the inflated state. Slices corresponding to the CT scan images were made and x-rayed. Paper mounted sections were then prepared from each slice. Using these methods pathological correlative studies can be used both to validate the interpretation of CT scans of lungs and to assess the sensitivity of this imaging technique.
Bronchiectasis↗
Direct immunofluorescence of skin using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections.
The technique of direct immunofluorescence has been applied to skin biopsy specimens fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. The results have been compared with those obtained by using snap-frozen biopsy specimens from the same patients. Trypsinisation of the dewaxed material allowed subsequent detection of immunoglobulins, complement, and fibrinogen. When compared to the fluorescence in the snap-frozen specimens, the staining in the paraffin sections was less bright and there was a higher rate of negatives. Even so, it was possible to establish the diagnosis in most cases of pemphigus, pemphigoid, and lupus erythematosus.
Complement C3↗