title: Herpes simplex virus-cell interactions studied by low-fading contrasted immunofluorescence.
abstract: The low-fading immunofluorescence with propidium iodide contrast described here is recommended for light and confocal viral antigen identification and other cell biology studies because: (1) it is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and reproducible technique; (2) phase-contrast microscopy is unnecessary; (3) contrast is optimal without blurring the fluorescent labeling; (4) autofluorescence is minimal, even in fixed cells; (5) background staining is minimal; (6) fading is invisible for at least 5-min exposures, even in preparations with weak antigen presentation; (7) fluorescence is stable after storage in the dark at -20 degrees C; (8) fluorochromes are small-sized markers without steric hindrance; and (9) there is no need for silver enhancement or substrate solutions, which increase the risk of diffusion and other artifacts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Helle Lone
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Bodil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Norrild
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000821:virology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000502:physiology*