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

Preservation of RNA for Functional Genomic Studies: A Multidisciplinary Tumor Bank Protocol

Author(s): Florell Scott R, Coffin Cheryl M, Holden Joseph A, Zimmermann James W, Gerwells John W, Summers Bradley K, Jones David A, Leachman Sancy A

Publication: Mod Pathol, 2001, Vol. 14, Page 116

PubMed ID: 11235903 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

The purpose of this paper was to determine if immersion of tissue in RNAlater for 24 h at ambient temperature preserved tissue integrity for subsequent pathological diagnosis as well as molecular analysis.

Conclusion of Paper

Tissue immersed in RNAlater for 24 h permitted histological and immunohistochemical staining which was adequate for pathological diagnosis, superiorly preserved RNA integrity compared to fresh frozen controls (frozen immediately at -20 degrees C in OCT), and was sufficient for gene expression analysis using microarray and Northern blot.

Studies

  1. Study Purpose

    Comparative histological analysis of tissue samples fixed with RNAlater and other fixation methods (formalin, OCT).

    Summary of Findings:

    Histological staining, assessed by three pathologists in a blind study, was indistinguishable from other fixation methods (formalin, OCT) in tissue samples preserved in RNAlater for 24 h up to 3 weeks. Note: experimental samples included surgically resected normal skin tissue, as well as several tissue types collected during autopsy (brain, thyroid, lung, heart, skeletal muscle, stomach, small and large intestine, tongue).

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • RNAlater
    • OCT
    • Formalin
    Diagnoses:
    • Normal
    • Autopsy
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    Morphology H-and-E microscopy
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation Formalin (buffered)
    OCT
    RNAlater
  2. Study Purpose

    Comparative analysis of immunohistochemical staining of tissue fixed with RNAlater and other fixation methods (formalin, OCT).

    Summary of Findings:

    Immunohistochemical staining was indistinguishable from other fixation methods (formalin, OCT, TRIzol reagent) in tissue samples preserved in RNAlater for 24 h and stained for CEA, cytokeratin AE 1/3, and vimentin. S-100 staining was not observed in RNAlater fixed epidermal melanocytes or Langerhan's cells, although these cell types were stained in fixative controls. Tissues stored in TRIzol reagent for 24 h exhibited extensive cytolysis and lacked nuclei. Note: experimental samples included surgically resected normal skin tissue, as well as several tissue types collected during autopsy (brain, thyroid, lung, heart, skeletal muscle, stomach, small and large intestine, tongue).

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • RNAlater
    • OCT
    • Formalin
    Diagnoses:
    • Autopsy
    • Normal
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    Protein Immunohistochemistry
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation Formalin (buffered)
    OCT
    RNAlater
    Biospecimen Preservation RNA stabilization method RNAlater
    Trizol reagent
    Immunohistochemistry Specific Targeted peptide/protein CEA
    Vimentin
    S-100
  3. Study Purpose

    To evaluate RNA integrity in normal skin samples preserved in RNAlater at ambient temperature for 24 h, followed by 4 degrees C for 2-6 weeks in comparison to fresh frozen controls.

    Summary of Findings:

    RNA extracted from skin samples fixed in RNAlater were superiorly preserved compared to fresh frozen controls, displaying distinct ribosomal bands and high molecular weight transcripts with limited degradation.

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • RNAlater
    • Frozen
    Diagnoses:
    • Normal
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    RNA Electrophoresis
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Biospecimen Preservation Type of fixation/preservation RNAlater
    Snap frozen
  4. Study Purpose

    To determine whether RNA extracted from tissues fixed in RNAlater was intact and sufficient for microarray analysis.

    Summary of Findings:

    RNA extracted from skin (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma) preserved in RNAlater was successful used in microarray analysis. Northern blot analysis confirmed microarray results, identifying an upregulated 2.5 kb MIG transcript.

    Biospecimens
    Preservative Types
    • RNAlater
    Diagnoses:
    • Neoplastic - Carcinoma
    Platform:
    AnalyteTechnology Platform
    RNA DNA microarray
    RNA Northern blot
    Pre-analytical Factors:
    ClassificationPre-analytical FactorValue(s)
    Northern blot Specific Targeted nucleic acid MIG

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