NIH, National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) NIH - National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute DCTD - Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis

Continuous-specimen-flow, high-throughput, 1-hour tissue processing. A system for rapid diagnostic tissue preparation.

Author(s): Morales AR, Essenfeld H, Essenfeld E, Duboue MC, Vincek V, Nadji M

Publication: Arch Pathol Lab Med, 2002, Vol. 126, Page 583-90

PubMed ID: 11958665 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

The purpose of this paper was to determine the effects of a rapid continuous-throughput processing method (CTPM) using microwave and convective heating on morphological preservation, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and the preservation of RNA of multiple tissue types.

Conclusion of Paper

CTPM resulted in H&E and mucicarmine staining and estrogen receptor (ER) IHC staining comparable to that seen in sections prepared by the conventional processing method (CPM). This was true for both formalin-fixed and fresh tissues. Tissue blocks prepared by CTPM were softer than those prepared by CPM and resulted in sections that were easier to cut. RNA extracted from specimens processed by CTPM showed improved integrity with the addition of 0.05% diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) to the first three processing steps. RT-PCR amplification of GAPDH was more successful using RNA extracted from specimens processed by CTPM than when RNA was extracted after CPM.

Studies

  1. Study Purpose

    The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a rapid tissue processing method using microwave and convective heating on morphological preservation and IHC staining of fixed and unfixed specimens including uterus, breast, placenta, and small intestine among others.

    Summary of Findings:

    CTPM employed microwave and convective heating, solution I (isopropyl alcohol, acetone, polyethylene glycol, glacial acetic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide) and solution II (solution I plus low-viscosity mineral oil) for dehydration and clearing steps, and no additional formalin fixation. CTPM resulted in H&E and mucicarmine staining and ER immunostaining comparable to that seen in sections prepared by CPM, which included an initial 4 hour formalin fixation step. This was true for both formalin-fixed and fresh tissues. The authors note that H&E staining was slightly brighter in tissue processed using CTPM than CPM so exposure times were reduced for tissue processed with CTPM. Tissue blocks prepared by CTPM were softer than those prepared by CPM and resulted in sections that were easier to cut.

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • Formalin
    • None (Fresh)
    Diagnoses:
    • Not specified
    • Normal
    • Neoplastic - Carcinoma
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    Morphology H-and-E microscopy
    Morphology Macroscopic observation
    Morphology Light microscopy
    Protein Immunohistochemistry
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation Formalin (buffered)
    None (fresh)
    Biospecimen Preservation Duration of tissue/ specimen processing 65 min
    11.5 h
    Biospecimen Preservation Dehydration reagent Graded alcohols
    Solution I and solution II
    Biospecimen Preservation Clearing agent Solution I and solution II
    Xylene
    Biospecimen Preservation Clearing duration/condition 40 degrees C (convective), under pressure/vacuum
    62 degrees C (microwave), no vacuum
    Biospecimen Preservation Dehydration duration/condition 40 degrees C (convective), under pressure/vacuum
    62 degrees C (microwave), no vacuum
  2. Study Purpose

    The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a rapid tissue processing method using microwave and convective heating on the preservation of RNA in testis, ovary, uterus, prostate gland, and breast specimens.

    Summary of Findings:

    RNA extracted from specimens processed by CTPM showed improved integrity with the addition of DEPC to the first three processing steps. RT-PCR amplification of a 500 bp amplicon of GAPDH was successful using RNA extracted from all 6 specimens processed by CTPM but only 3 of 6 specimens when RNA was extracted after CPM. Further, those 3 successful attempts showed less product compared with amplification using RNA extracted after CTPM.

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • None (Fresh)
    Diagnoses:
    • Neoplastic - Benign
    • Neoplastic - Carcinoma
    • Normal
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    RNA RT-PCR
    RNA Electrophoresis
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation Formalin (buffered)
    None (fresh)
    Biospecimen Preservation Duration of tissue/ specimen processing 65 min (CTPM)
    11.5 h (CPM)
    Biospecimen Preservation Dehydration reagent Graded alcohols
    Solution I and solution II
    Solution I and solution II plus DEPC
    Biospecimen Preservation Clearing agent Solution I and solution II
    Xylene
    Solution I and solution II plus DEPC
    Biospecimen Preservation Clearing duration/condition 40 degrees C (convective), under pressure/vacuum
    62 degrees C (microwave), no vacuum
    Biospecimen Preservation Dehydration duration/condition 40 degrees C (convective), under pressure/vacuum
    62 degrees C (microwave), no vacuum

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