Eosinophil granules contain protein with many
arginine side chains. These are strong bases
(positively charged even in an alkaline
environment) so they are selectively stained
by anionic dyes at high pH. You may see
some erythrocyte staining at ph 8, but
at pH 9 the only stained objects are the
cytoplasmic granules of eosinophils and
Paneth cells and the tails of spermatozoa.

Any anionic dye that is not decolorized at
high pH is suitable. Eosin gave its name to
the cells. Biebrich scarlet is good because
its colour stays the same over a wide range
of pH. See SS Spicer & RD Lillie 1961 Stain
Technol. 36:365-370 for a thorough account
of staining with alkaline solutions of
anionic dyes.

Remember that alkaline solutions can remove
sections from slides!
-- 
-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan@uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/

> Garry Ashton wrote:
> 
> Dear all,
> Could anybody please give me some advice on the
> staining of eosinophils, either by conventional
> stains or immuno.
> Am I right in thinking the carbol chromotrope
> technique is one such method.
> Many thanks in advance.
> Garry Ashton
> 

Is this nonsense (below) really necessary?
> 
> PICR
> UK
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