Special stains for extracellular matrix.
Extracellular matrix and cells are the components of connective tissue. Extracellular matrix provides tissue with tensile strength, elasticity, and resistance to compressive forces. Although immunohistochemistry is often used to study matrix constituents, a number of basic histological techniques can be used to describe the qualitative and quantitative presence and arrangement of matrix components. This chapter details specific staining techniques used for the study of extracellular matrix, explaining the rationale of each.
Monte-Alto-Costa
Andréa
A
Tissue Repair Laboratory, Histology and Embryology Department, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Porto
Luís Cristóvão
LC
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D003094:Collagen