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Results for “Paraffin Embedding”

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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

hTERT expression in melanocytic lesions: an immunohistochemical study on paraffin-embedded tissue.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase plays a role in the immortalization of cells and carcinogenesis. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results on whether human telomerase RNA (hTER) expression differs in nevi, atypical nevi and melanomas using polymerase chain reaction-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol or in situ hybridization assays. The aim of this study was to evaluate human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) staining in melanocytic lesions on paraffin-embedded tissues. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections from 12 acquired nevi, seven dysplastic nevi, 11 Spitz nevi, eight primary invasive melanomas, and three metastatic melanomas were studied for staining intensity (0-3+) and percentage of labeled cells with anti-hTERT. RESULTS: hTERT staining was observed in most cells (>75%), in all but three lesions, and was of greater intensity in the nucleus, especially the nucleolus, compared with the cytoplasm. Spitz nevi tended to have weaker hTERT staining (mean = 1.7) compared with acquired nevi (mean = 2.2), dysplastic nevi (mean = 2.4), primary melanomas (mean = 2.4), or metastatic melanomas (mean = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Although telomerase activity was weaker in Spitz nevi, there was overlap with other nevi and primary invasive melanomas in our small series. Thus, hTERT expression does not appear to be a reliable adjunct to the histological diagnosis of primary melanocytic lesions.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed1980

Immunofluorescence of renal lesions in paraffin-embedded and fresh-frozen sections.

Immunofluorescent findings in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections of kidneys involved by various nephropathies compared favorably with those in fresh-frozen sections. In some cases, the findings in paraffin-embedded sections were complementary. Immunoreactivity with complement could not be demonstrated.

Complement System Proteins↗

PubMed1986

Conditions for the immunohistochemical demonstration of complement factor C3 in formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded renal tissues.

Paraffin sections of formaldehyde-fixed renal biopsies were labeled for complement C3 by a polyclonal rabbit antibody to human complement C3, by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase complex (PAP) and the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) techniques, respectively. All tissues had C3 deposits according to direct immunofluorescence on fresh frozen sections. Staining for muramidase was introduced as an intrinsic control for the degree of tissue proteolysis after the necessary trypsin digestion prior to the immunoenzyme labeling. The results indicated that even minute deposits of C3 could be detected in paraffin sections by the ABC method, which was more sensitive than the PAP technique; the ABC method allowed a maximal dilution of 1:2,400 of the primary antibody as compared to 1:800 for the PAP technique.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Establishing germ cell origin of undifferentiated tumors by identifying gain of 12p material using comparative genomic hybridization analysis of paraffin-embedded samples.

An estimated 10% of adult cancer patients present with undifferentiated carcinoma. The diagnosis of germ cell tumor (GCT) in such patients can be difficult but has important implications for patient management. Male testicular GCT is characterized by an isochromosome 12p, i(12p), or additional 12p material, in some cases restricted to the 12p11.2-p12.1 region. A gain of 12p material can indicate that a tumor, which may not be present in the testis, is of germ cell origin. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples are the most widely available material for diagnostic analysis and retrospective studies. We have compared the identification of 12p gain in snap-frozen samples with corresponding paraffin-embedded material from three clearly defined testicular GCTs using comparative genomic hybridization analysis. In this preliminary study, paraffin-embedded tumor samples of uncertain histogenesis from seven patients were then analyzed. Tumor samples from three of these patients showed a gain of 12p material, and in one patient, gain was restricted to the 12p11.2-p12 region. The clinical picture and response to therapy were generally consistent with the 12p status, though lack of 12p gain may not exclude a diagnosis of GCT.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2000

Intratumor heterogeneity of centromere numerical abnormality in multiple primary gastric cancers: application of fluorescence in situ hybridization with intermittent microwave irradiation on paraffin-embedded tissue.

Our recent success in retrieving distinct fluorescence signals in response to centromere specific probing of paraffin-embedded tissues after intermittent microwave (MW) treatment provided the opportunity to analyze chromosome numbers or centromere abnormality in situ in human tumors in various clinicopathological settings. In this study, centromere numerical abnormality (CNA) was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in a case of multiple gastric cancer having intratumor histological heterogeneity. The different profiles as determined using a total of 20 specific probes on 4 multifocal lesions in the stomach confirmed the multi-clonality of these tumors. FISH with probes specific for chromosomes 10, 11, 16 and 18 revealed intratumor heterogeneity of the CNA, which corresponded to the histological heterogeneity. Our report clearly demonstrates, for the first time, intratumor heterogeneity of CNA and its association with the histological picture, and substantiates the applicability of the MW-assisted FISH protocol to paraffin-embedded pathological specimens.

Centromere↗

PubMed1994

Wet autoclave pretreatment improves the visualization of silver-stained nucleolar organizer-region-associated proteins in routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues.

This study describes the effect of wet autoclave pretreatment of routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues on silver-stained nucleolar organizer-region-associated proteins (AgNORs) staining. The treatment of sections at superheated steam temperature (120 degrees C) before silver incubation leads to a significantly better discrimination of single-interphase AgNORs. Counting "black dots" both by eye and by means of a computer-aided image-analyzing system revealed considerably higher AgNOR mean numbers per nucleus in all pretreated cases when compared with the respective untreated controls. However, mean AgNOR numbers increased after autoclave pretreatment in a nonlinear manner (pairwise comparison by means of Spearman's Rank correlation coefficient: rho = 0.5), whereas measurement of the AgNOR area was less influenced by autoclave pretreatment (rho = 0.8). It is concluded that wet autoclave pretreatment of routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded archival material should be applied before AgNOR staining, particularly when quantitation of AgNORs involves counting procedures.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1998

Detection of SYT-SSX fusion transcripts in synovial sarcoma by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using archival paraffin-embedded tissues.

The reciprocal translocation t(X;18)(p11;q11) is known to be highly characteristic of synovial sarcoma, and its consequence, an SYT-SSX fusion gene, is expected to be a diagnostic molecular marker. In this study, we conducted a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assay to detect the SYT-SSX fusion gene transcripts using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from a series of 32 synovial sarcoma cases including 6 tumors found in unusual anatomical sites. The SYT-SSX fusion transcripts could be detected in 30 of 32 paraffin-embedded specimens (94%). A subsequent sequence analysis using the polymerase chain reaction products confirmed that the detected messages were derived from either the SYT-SSX1 (22 cases) or SYT-SSX2 (8 cases) fusion gene. Of 23 SYT-SSX-positive monophasic tumors, 16 tumors had an SYT-SSX1 fusion transcript. Fusion transcripts were detectable in all the 7 biphasic tumors analysed, one of which had an SYT-SSX2 fusion transcript. All of the six tumors at unusual locations (lung; 3, metastasis to the abdominal cavity from a tumor of retroperitoneal origin; 1, sacral region; 1, iliopsoas muscle; 1) contained detectable messages. Our results indicate that this molecular assay can be applied to archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues as a feasible and reliable molecular technique for the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

DNA extraction by sonication: a comparison of fresh, frozen, and paraffin-embedded tissues extracted for use in polymerase chain reaction assays.

DNA extraction from fixed tissues can be the most laborious and complex step in amplifying DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We have previously reported a rapid and efficient method for extracting DNA by the use of sonication and glass beads. We have extended our experiences with this technique using fresh, frozen, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues with and without the use of glass beads and report their results. Multiple tissue types were obtained at autopsy or as part of a surgical specimen. DNA was extracted from identical tissue when the sample was fresh, frozen, or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded. Our results indicate that in most instances the sonication technique, which takes only 30 min from start to finish, can rapidly extract fresh, frozen, or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue and is superior to other rapid extraction techniques in terms of quality and quantity of DNA. It is much more rapid than those techniques that use long digestion periods. This technique will be of great value to those investigators extracting DNA for polymerase chain reaction assays.

DNA↗

PubMed2000

[Detection of alterations of the DPC4 gene in paraffin-embedded tissues of pancreatic carcinomas].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the alteration and significance of the DPC4 gene in paraffin-embedded tissues of pancreatic carcinomas. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis were used to search for deletions and mutations in the DPC4 gene in 46 cases of pancreatic carcinomas. RESULTS: Thirteen of forty-six (28.3%) cases were found to have homozygous deletions in exon 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 11. One was in exon 11, one in exon 1 and 11, one in exon 2 and 3, one in exon 3 and 8, one in exon 1, 2 and 8, one in exon 2, 4 and 11, one in exon 3, 4 and 11, three in exon 3, 4 and 8, one in exon 2, 3, 4, and 8, one in exon 2, 3, 8 and 11, one in exon 2, 3, 4, 8 and 11. Intragenic mutations were found in 10 of 46 cases (21.7%). One case was in exon 1, one in exon 2, three in exon 8, four in exon 11, and one in exon 4 and 11. The total frequency of intragenic changes of DPC4 in paraffin-embedded tissues was 45.6% (21/46). CONCLUSION: Inactivation of tumor-suppressor gene DPC4 may play an important role during the tumorigenesis of pancreatic carcinomas.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Immunostaining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for malignant lymphomas.

With the advent of new monoclonal antibodies that are applicable to formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded sections, immunophenotyping is becoming increasingly important in the diagnosis and classification of lymphomas. However, multiple factors such as fixation, trypsinization and even type of antibodies used have certain effects on the final outcome of the staining procedure. In this paper we report our experience and the problems encountered in our laboratory when we first tried to establish a workable immunostaining protocol for formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections using the immunoalkaline phosphatase technique.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1998

Use of polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry for detection of canine adenovirus type 1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver of dogs with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

To assess the possible involvement of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) in naturally occurring cases of canine chronic liver disease, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was developed to detect a conserved region of the major core protein gene (pVII) of CAV-1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver sections. Results were compared with a standard avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase complex technique that detected CAV-1 antigens using a commercial monoclonal anti-adenovirus antibody. Seventeen cases of cirrhosis and 28 cases of chronic hepatitis with piecemeal necrosis and progressive fibrosis were selected for the study. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver sections of 2 cases of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) and crude DNA extract from CAV-1 (ATCC VR 293 Utrecht strain) served as positive controls. A 411-base-pair viral region was amplified and sequenced as CAV-1 pVII in both cases of infectious canine hepatitis and in the CAV-1 crude DNA extract. The 2 ICH cases were positive for CAV-1 antigens by the immunoperoxidase method. CAV-1 DNA or antigens were not detected by either technique in any of the 45 cases of chronic liver disease selected for the study. These results indicate that both PCR and immunohistochemistry are reliable and rapid techniques for detecting CAV-1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver sections of dogs with ICH. Several possibilities may explain the negative results obtained with both techniques in this study, including the noninvolvement of CAV-1 in canine chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis and the possibility that the virus causes initial damage, provokes a self-perpetuating chronic liver disease, and disappears.

Adenoviridae Infections↗

PubMed1998

How thick are the paraffin-embedded tissue sections routinely prepared in laboratory? A morphometric study using a confocal laser scanning microscope.

In order to evaluate the differences between cut and measured thicknesses of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of liver tissue were prepared from four male Wistar rats. The sections were cut at preselected thicknesses of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 microns, and observed under confocal laser scanning microscopy. The maximum and minimum section thicknesses were measured using a vertically cut section image constructed by the software incorporated in the microscope. The surface of the section was not smooth but showed fine undulations in addition to a slight inclination. The mean and range of the section thicknesses measured were 4.3 +/- 1.3, 7.0 +/- 1.7, 9.8 +/- 2.1, 12.0 +/- 2.6, 14.1 +/- 3.0, and 17.7 +/- 3.8 microns for the preselected cut thicknesses of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 microns. It is stressed that the evaluated parameters of the section (volume or surface densities) include standard errors of up to 10% caused by the differences between the cut and real thicknesses.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Detection of cytomegalovirus in paraffin-embedded lung tissue sections.

Attempts were made to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV) in paraffin-embedded lung tissue sections from five patients with malignant disease by the immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase methods with application of monoclonal antibodies against CMV and by localization of DNA by the method of in situ hybridization using a biotinylated probe. In the immunofluorescence method, the monoclonal antibody 1C6 stained a large number of CMV-infected cells. However, nonspecific staining of the bronchoepithelial cells was a disadvantage of this method. In the immunoperoxidase staining, the monoclonal antibodies E. 13 and CCH2 gave highly sensitive and specific results. These monoclonal antibodies stained the nuclei of the infected cells even in the absence of viral inclusions. In the viral DNA probe technique, three specimens were found to contain hybridizing cells. The DNA probe detected not only cytopathic cells but also normal-appearing infected cells. The number of cells stained by the DNA probe was much smaller than that stained by the immunoperoxidase method. The author concludes that the immunoperoxidase technique using monoclonal antibodies against CMV is useful for the diagnosis of CMV infection in the paraffin-embedded lung tissue. Localization of DNA by the method of in situ hybridization is not as useful as the immunoperoxidase method because of lower sensitivity.

Aged↗

PubMed1981

Enzyme histochemistry on paraffin embedded tissue sections.

To obtain diagnostic enzyme reactions in paraffin embedded tissue sections, we compared four fixatives (buffered formol sucrose, Baker's formol calcium, periodate lysin paraformaldehyde, and buffered formalin acetone) and subsequent acetone dehydration with or without graded concentrations of Triton X-100. Four spleens and 14 lymph nodes were tested for peroxidase, naphthol ASD chloroacetate esterase, acid phosphatase, alpha naphthyl acetate esterase, and alpha naphthyl butyrate. Best results were obtained by a processing method using buffered formalin acetone, Holt's gum sucrose, dehydration in acetone with 0.03% Triton X-100, and paraffin for embedding.

Histocytochemistry↗

PubMed1984

Two new monoclonal antibodies (LN-1, LN-2) reactive in B5 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues with follicular center and mantle zone human B lymphocytes and derived tumors.

Two monoclonal antibodies (LN-1, LN-2) reactive with B lymphocytes in B5 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections have been produced by utilizing cell extracts from pokeweed mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes and diffuse histiocytic lymphoma SU-DHL-4 cells, respectively. Both monoclonal antibodies were initially identified by indirect immunofluorescence screening techniques on paraformaldehyde-acetone-fixed cell preparations. Specificity screens with 36 well-characterized human lymphoma and leukemia cell lines showed that both LN-1 and LN-2 stained cell lines of B cell lineage but were unreactive with those of T cell or, with one exception, myeloid derivation. Null cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines were found to be LN-2+ but LN-1-. The B cell specificity of these reagents was confirmed on 15 lymphoma and 17 leukemia biopsy specimens by using indirect immunofluorescence techniques. Immunoperoxidase staining of sections from B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded human lymphoid tissues showed that LN-1 bound to the cell membrane and cytoplasm of germinal center cells whereas LN-2 stained the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm of germinal center and mantle zone B lymphocytes as well as interfollicular histiocytes and thymic medullary dendritic cells. Both monoclonal antibodies failed to stain cortical thymocytes, lymph node T cells, and peripheral blood T and myeloid cells. Immunoperoxidase staining of 20 nonlymphoid human organs and tissues revealed that LN-1 reacted positively with red blood cell precursors of the bone marrow, ciliated epithelial cells of the bronchus, distal tubular cells of the kidney, and ductal cells from several organs including the breast and prostate. In contrast, LN-2 was unreactive with all human nonlymphoid organs and tissues including the bone marrow. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of a panel of 26 solid tumor cells lines showed that LN-1 was reactive with the majority of epithelium-derived cell lines, glioblastomas, and astrocytomas but was unreactive with neuroblastomas, small cell carcinoma of the lung, and sarcomas. LN-2 was unreactive with 25 of 26 of the solid tumor cell lines by these techniques. Immunobiochemical studies have shown that LN-1 recognizes a cell surface sialoantigen whereas LN-2 is directed against a 35,000 dalton nuclear membrane protein. Because of their high specificity for B cell tumors and their ability to stain B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, LN-1 and LN-2 are useful reagents for the diagnosis and classification of the human lymphomas and leukemias.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Immunocytochemical assay of progesterone receptors in paraffin-embedded specimens of endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia: a preliminary evaluation.

An immunohistochemical method for the detection of progesterone receptors (PgR) using the monoclonal anti-PgR antibody KD 68 was utilized to study paraffin-embedded tissue sections from women with endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia. Stromal as well as myometrial nuclear PgR were nearly always apparent. In carcinoma, 11/24 (46%) of cases showed epithelial positivity, whereas in hyperplasia 8/9 (89%) were PgR-positive (P less than 0.05). Initial biochemical PgR assays by the dextran-coated charcoal method were compared with results of PgR-immunocytochemical assays (ICA) in the paraffin-embedded tissue and were in concordance in 92%. In the one discordant specimen, PgR-ICA-negative tumor cells were seen infiltrating PgR-ICA-positive myometrium, and the biochemical assay was thus felt to be falsely positive. Twelve additional cases of endometrial carcinoma were also studied for estrogen receptor (ER) by immunocytochemistry. Two were positive for both ER and PgR, while five were negative for both receptors. The immunocytochemical methods described allow for analysis of routinely fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens, thus permitting analysis of very small specimens and archival material.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Improved DNA content histograms from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissue by proteinase K digestion.

An improved method for the enzymatic digestion of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissue for DNA content analysis by flow cytometry is presented. Forty samples of histologically normal liver were alternately digested by the traditional pepsin method or a new method utilizing proteinase K and heat. Sixteen (40%) of the pepsin-digested samples had apparent DNA aneuploid peaks by flow cytometry. False DNA aneuploid peaks were not present in any of the histograms obtained after proteinase K digestion. Microscopy showed that the pepsin-digested samples had residual cytoplasmic remnants which contained fluorescent material. Samples digested with proteinase K had few cytoplasmic remnants. The average G0/G1 coefficient of variation after proteinase K treatment was lower (41%) and the fluorescent intensity higher (128%) than the pepsin-treated samples. The apparent mean S-phase (a combination of S-phase cells and underlying debris) after proteinase K digestion was 35% of the pepsin-treated samples. Primary and secondary tumors of the liver that were DNA aneuploid after pepsin treatment were also DNA aneuploid after proteinase K treatment. A modified digestion protocol utilizing proteinase K and heat can provide superior results for DNA content analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissue.

Aneuploidy↗

PubMed1993

Constant detection of surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulin heavy and light chain expression in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded material.

The introduction of microwave detection systems has significantly enhanced the sensitivity of immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. The combination of protease digestion and microwave treatment including the use of heavy metal salts or urea gives an Ig heavy and light chain detection system in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded material as good as that achieved using fresh frozen material, with the advantage of a well-preserved morphology. The sensitivity of this method depends on the heavy metal salt used and its concentration. The use of urea yields equally sensitive results, while avoiding the toxicity of heavy metal salts. Heating times in the microwave oven also have an important influence on the results. The microwave-based technique may allow for the improved accessibility of formalin-masked antigens, as was shown here for cytoplasmic and surface immunoglobulins. It was demonstrated that formalin-fixed specimens of Burkitt's lymphoma when subjected to the new protocol almost always showed surface Ig expression, giving results comparable to those obtained in frozen sections. Moreover, it could be shown that in cases of B-chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (B-CLL) or immunocytoma, surface and cytoplasmic Ig could be detected, so that the difference may be just a quantitative one and thus may no longer be safely used as a criterion in differential diagnosis. In future, the wide use of this technique will allow for the study of Ig expression at the single cell level in morphologically well-preserved material.

Formaldehyde↗