[Modified method of constructing tissue microarray which contains keloid and normal skin].
OBJECTIVE
To seek for a method of constructing the tissue microarray which contains keloid, skin around keloid, and normal skin.


METHODS
The specimens were gained from patients of voluntary donation between March and May 2009, including the tissues of keloid (27 cases), skin around keloid (13 cases), and normal skin (27 cases). The specimens were imbedded by paraffin as donor blocks. The traditional method of constructing the tissue microarray and section were modified according to the histological characteristics of the keloid and skin tissue and the experimental requirement. The tissue cores were drilled from donor blocks and attached securely on the adhesive platform which was prepared. The adhesive platform with tissue cores in situ was placed into an imbedding mold, which then was preheated briefly. Paraffin at approximately 70 degrees C was injected to fill the mold and then cooled to room temperature. Then HE staining, immunohistochemistry staining were performed and the results were observed by microscope.


RESULTS
The constructed tissue microarray block contained 67 cores as designed and displayed smooth surface with no crack. All the cores distributed regularly, had no disintegration or manifest shift. HE staining of tissue microarray section showed that all cores had equal thickness, distinct layer, manifest contradistinction, well-defined edge, and consistent with original pathological diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry staining results demonstrated that all cores contained enough tissue dose to apply group comparison. However, in tissue microarray which was made as traditional method, many cores missed and a few cores shifted obviously.


CONCLUSIONS
Applying modified method can successfully construct tissue microarray which is composed of keloid, skin around keloid, and normal skin. This tissue microarray will become an effective tool of researching the pathogenesis of keloid.
Zhang
Zhenyu
Z
Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan 610041, PR China.
Chen
Junjie
J
Cen
Ying
Y
Zhao
Sha
S
Liao
Dianying
D
Gong
Jing
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D046228:Microarray Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult