Immunofluorescent identification of melanocytes in murine hair follicles.
Immunocytochemical identification of skin cells are difficult due to numerous endogenous autofluorescent components within the cell and the environment. This is particularly evident in hair follicles. This paper reports on a serendipitous modification to an existing method which results in a drastically reduced background fluorescence. Immediately after antigen retrieval, sections exposed to 0.3% hydrogen peroxide in methanol for 30 min at room temperature exhibited low background fluorescence, increased antigenicity and revealed quantifiable numbers of melanocytes. This method is applicable to both human and mouse melanocytes particularly in the hair follicle.
Govender
Dheshnie
D
Department of Human Biology, Anatomy Building, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town Medical School, 7925 Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa.
Davids
Lester M
LM
Kidson
Susan H
SH
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011247:Pregnancy
D015415:Biomarkers