RE: Special stains question

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From:"Kellar, Eric" <kellarec@MSX.UPMC.EDU>
To:"'histoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu '" <histoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu>, "'Histo-Scientific Research Laboratory '" <histosci@shentel.net>
Reply-To:
Date:Fri, 2 Jul 1999 19:52:16 -0400
Content-Type:text/plain

Fibrocollagenous tissue contains many extracellular matrix components with
collagen being predominant. Collagen is evident in routine H&E stained
paraffin sections, appearing light pink. Fibroblasts and (non-collagen
secreting) fibrocytes are widely scattered and immune cells (i.e.
lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, mast cells) are occasionally seen in
tissue samples. Fibroblasts are generally birefringent, eosinophilic and
occur as wavy fibrils, either alone or fused together. 

The collagen fibers in loose fibrocollagenous tissue are detected with a van
Gieson technique, which stains collagen pink and muscle fibers yellow. The
Fraser-Lendrum and the Weigert-Gram method for fibrin are also widely used.
Additionally, a well differentiated Mallory's Phosphotungstic acid
hematoxylin (PTAH) method may also be of value. 

The Garvey-Fathi-Bigelow-Carpender-Jimenez method for elastica, fibrin and
collagen would probably be best suited for your needs (if you have the dyes
on hand)... It uses a modified Verhoff's stain with lissamine fast yellow,
Biebrich scarlet-acid fuchsin-ponceau 2R and aniline blue - staining newly
formed fibrin(orange-yellow), mature fibrin(red) and old fibrin(blue/green).



Eric C. Kellar
Histology/Immunohistochemistry
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

----------
From: 	Histo-Scientific Research Laboratory[SMTP:histosci@shentel.net]
Sent: 	Thursday, July 01, 1999 12:53 PM
To: 	histoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: 	Special stains question

Histonetters,

We have a paraffin block that contains an endometrial organotypic culture
which needs to be stained for the detection of fibroblasts, epithelial cells
and immunological cells.  Which special stains does everyone else use to
detect these cells?  Thanks in advance.

Tom Galati
Histo-Scientific Research Labs.
(540)856-2222
107 Killmon Road
Basye, VA  22810





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