Microwave fixation provides excellent preservation of tissue, cells and antigens for light and electron microscopy.

Author(s): Login GR, Dvorak AM

Publication: Histochem J, 1988, Vol. 20, Page 373-87

PubMed ID: 2464568 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fixation technique and fixative type on keratin immunostaining of skin specimens.

   Summary of Findings:

   The best keratin AE1/3 immunostaining was seen when tissue was fixed by microwave irradiation (45 degrees C) in Karnovsky's fixative for 5 sec without trypsin pretreatment. For this fast microwave method, trypsin pretreatment resulted in diminished staining specificity. In contrast, specimens that were fixed by immersion in unbuffered formalin for 6 hours at 25 degrees C showed no immunostaining, regardless of trypsin pretreatment.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Skin

   Preservative Types

   • Formalin
   • Other Preservative

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry
   Morphology	H-and-E microscopy

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Preservation	Method of fixative delivery	Immersion Microwaved
   Biospecimen Preservation	Temperature of fixation/preservation	45 degrees C 25 degrees C
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Formalin (unbuffered) Karnovsky's solution
   Immunohistochemistry Specific	Targeted peptide/protein	Keratin AE1/3
   Analyte Extraction and Purification	Protein digestion	Trypsin None

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