title: The detection of endothelial cell antigens in cutaneous tissue using methacarn and periodate lysine paraformaldehyde fixation.
abstract: The use of monoclonal antibodies with endothelial cell specificity has prompted a search for methods of fixation which combine the morphology of paraffin-embedded tissue, with preservation of labile membrane antigens. Immunohistochemical staining using a variety of endothelial cell markers was compared in tissue fixed in formalin, methacarn, periodate lysine paraformaldehyde (PLP) and in frozen tissue. Whilst lectin-binding with Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA) and localisation of Factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII RA) and laminin was well-visualised in methacarn-fixed and PLP-fixed tissue, fixation in PLP was necessary for the two monoclonal antibodies, PAL-E and EN4. PLP fixation has considerable potential for investigating the histogenesis of vascular tumours, particularly in Kaposi's sarcoma where frozen tissue represents a biological hazard. The normal staining pattern of human dermal vasculature is described in relation to the above endothelial cell antigens.
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002725:Chloroform; D004727:Endothelium / Q000276:immunology*; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D037102:Lectins; D008239:Lysine; D000432:Methanol; D010504:Periodic Acid; D037121:Plant Lectins; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005404:Fixatives; D007797:Laminin; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; C046544:methacarn; C046311:periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde; D010504:Periodic Acid; D005557:Formaldehyde; D002725:Chloroform; D005169:Factor VIII; D008239:Lysine; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000432:Methanol