HOPE--a novel tool for the pathologist.
The growing demand for the detection of prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers by application of molecular-biological techniques has been slowed down to a large degree by the use of formalin and its influence onto antigenic structures and nucleic acids, although other reasons also exist. With regard to morphology a limitation in the possibilities, compared to frozen sections, takes place. With the introduction of the HOPE (Hepes glutamic acid buffer mediated Organic solvent Protection Effect) -fixation to date both have become possible; substantially enlarged possibilities concerning the detection of DNA, RNA and proteins in combination with excellent morphological results comparable to formalin-fixed tissues. We also highlight some aspects from our lung specific work during the last years. Immunohistochemical markers for differential diagnostics of malignancies in the lungs are discussed; their enhanced detectability using the HOPE-technique is pathbreaking for the future. The same holds true for the substantially enhanced detectability of germs (e.g. mycobacteria) in HOPE-fixed tissues.
Vollmer
E
E
Clinical & Experimental Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Germany. evollmer@fz-borstel.de
Galle
J
J
Sen Gupta
R
R
Goldmann
T
T
D002021:Buffers; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005404:Fixatives; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006531:HEPES; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*
D002021:Buffers; D005404:Fixatives; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006531:HEPES