title: Comparative study of two immunocytochemical techniques in the electron microscopical detection of alpha-1-antitrypsin in routinely processed liver biopsies.
abstract: Two indirect immunocytochemical techniques using different markers, namely peroxidase and gold, were applied to ultrathin sections of liver biopsies to detect alpha-1-antitrypsin. The blocks used were taken from the routine electron microscopy files and had been processed optimally for maximum ultrastructural preservation. The immunogold technique provided the best method for localizing alpha-1-antitrypsin and was associated with ultrastructural preservation equivalent to that seen in routinely processed liver biopsies. The procedure may be a useful adjunct to understanding the pathogenesis of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and in recognizing further variants of this disorder.
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000592:standards; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin