A Modification of Mayer's Tannic Acid-Ferric Chloride Staining Method for Demonstrating Cellular Membranous Systems for Light Microscopy

To observe cellular membranous systems under a light microscope, we modified Mayer's tannic acid-ferric chloride stain method by adding a treatment with hematoxylin after the original procedure. We used the modified tannic acid-ferric chloride (MTA-Fe) stain method to examine kidneys, liver, heart, trachea, epididymides and other organs of rats and dogs. The MTA-Fe stain clearly demonstrated the basement membrane, brush border, basolateral invaginations and cell processes in the kidneys which enabled easy differentiation of the S1 and S3 segments of proximal convoluted tubules. Our technique also demonstrated hepatic cell membranes and bile canaliculi in the liver, cross striations and longitudinal traveling of myofibrils in the heart, cilia of the epithelial cells in the trachea, and stereocilia and terminal bars in the epididymis. The MTA-Fe stain is a convenient method to visualize cellular membranous systems even for light microscopy. The stain has the advantages of using no toxic materials, simple and easy technique, little variation of staining results, and little fading for several months after staining.     

Ultrastructural cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry of proteoglycans associated with epiphyseal cartilage calcification

Proteoglycans (PGs) are closely associated with cartilage calcification. We have examined the hypertrophic zone of rat epiphyseal cartilage, in which calcification is occurring, using the high-iron diamine-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (HID-TCH-SP) method for sulfated glycosaminoglycans, an immunoferritin method specific for chondroitin sulfate A, and the tannic acid-ferric chloride (TA-Fe) method to stain cartilage matrix granules (MGs) presumed to be PG monomers. HID-TCH-SP produced stain deposits with a diameter of 11.2 +/- 3.2 nm (mean +/- SD; n = 200) in the MGs. However, HID-TCH-SP staining was not discernible in membrane-limited matrix vesicles (MVs). In areas of advanced calcification, partially disrupted MVs and globular bodies (GBs), derived in part from disrupted and/or degenerated MVs, contained a few too many small HID-TCH-SP stain deposits. Further down the epiphyseal cartilage, intact MVs markedly decreased and the GBs, containing many small HID-TCH-SP stain deposits, significantly increased in number. These GBs were found exclusively in the longitudinal septa rather than in the transverse septa. After enzyme digestion with testicular hyaluronidase, small (7.2 +/- 1.2 nm in diameter) stain deposits remained in the MGs and GBs, presumably localized to keratan sulfate. Immunoferritin localizing chondroitin sulfate strongly stained MGs, whereas MVs and GBs lacked staining. TA-Fe staining of glycoconjugates in the GBs demonstrated a striking decrease in the diameter of MGs associated with calcification in the GBs as compared with those in the noncalcifying area around the GBs. These results indicate that the GBs containing needle-like apatite crystals in morphologic preparations represent sites of chondroitin sulfate degradation. Testicular hyaluronidase-resistant sulfated glycosaminoglycans presumed to be keratan sulfate and partially degraded PGs selectively remain within the GBs as a probable requisite for expansion of the initial calcification in MVs.     

大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合架桥模型制作及评估

目的:建立大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合架桥模型,为研究脊髓损伤提供动物模型。方法:制作大鼠脊髓半横断伤模型,然后取大鼠前肢正中神经,并于半横断伤两端行正中神经架桥术。术后4周,左心室灌注固定取材,免疫组化染色检测GFAP、RECA、NF-200;另一部分动物行单宁酸-氯化铁灌注;观察移植物内有无血管、血管内有无血流、血管与周边神经纤维的关系。结果:外周神经架桥后4周,移植正中神经贴合于脊髓背侧1/2。移植神经内有RECA阳性的血管存在,而且有血流可以到达移植物内部,且神经纤维(NF-200阳性)与星形胶质细胞(GFAP阳性)关系紧密。结论:大鼠脊髓半横断伤联合正中神经架桥术后,由宿主可以向移植物内长入新生血管,血管有利于神经纤维的存活及生长。本模型为较好的外周神经移植的存活模型,可为进一步的深入研究提供一定的依据。     

Ultrastructural visualization of complex carbohydrates in epiphyseal cartilage with the tannic acid-metal salt methods

The present study has ultrastructurally applied the tannic acid-ferric chloride (TA-Fe) and the TA-uranyl acetate (TA-UA) methods to thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, unosmicated embedded epiphyseal cartilage from rat tibiae to demonstrate complex carbohydrates. The strongest TA-Fe and TA-UA staining was observed after fixation of the specimens in glutaraldehyde containing TA. TA-Fe (pH 1.5) strongly stained matrix granules presumed to be proteoglycan monomers and chondrocyte secretory granules at various maturational stages but did not stain collagen fibrils and glycogen. TA-UA (pH 4.2) strongly stained matrix granules, intracellular glycogen, and chondrocyte secretory granules, and moderately stained collagen fibrils in the cartilage matrix. Ribosomes and nuclei were not stained above background staining with UA alone. In alpha-amylase-digested specimens, all TA-UA-reactive cytoplasmic glycogen was selectively removed. Testicular hyaluronidase digestion of specimens selectively removed TA-UA staining in matrix granules and all TA-Fe staining. When the pH of the UA solution was reduced to 1.5, TA-UA staining of glycogen and collagen was markedly decreased or absent, whereas staining of anionic sites was unaltered and significantly greater than with UA staining alone. Thus the TA-metal salt methods are pH dependent and allow differential intracellular and extracellular localization of complex carbohydrates in cartilage tissues at the electron microscope level.     

Optimization of a histopathological biomarker for sphingomyelin accumulation in acid sphingomyelinase deficiency

Niemann-Pick disease (types A and B), or acid sphingomyelinase deficiency, is an inherited deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase, resulting in intralysosomal accumulation of sphingomyelin in cells throughout the body, particularly within those of the reticuloendothelial system. These cellular changes result in hepatosplenomegaly and pulmonary infiltrates in humans. A knockout mouse model mimics many elements of human ASMD and is useful for studying disease histopathology. However, traditional formalin-fixation and paraffin embedding of ASMD tissues dissolves sphingomyelin, resulting in tissues with a foamy cell appearance, making quantitative analysis of the substrate difficult. To optimize substrate fixation and staining, a modified osmium tetroxide and potassium dichromate postfixation method was developed to preserve sphingomyelin in epon-araldite embedded tissue and pulmonary cytology specimens. After processing, semi-thin sections were incubated with tannic acid solution followed by staining with toluidine blue/borax. This modified method provides excellent preservation and staining contrast of sphingomyelin with other cell structures. The resulting high-resolution light microscopy sections permit digital quantification of sphingomyelin in light microscopic fields. A lysenin affinity stain for sphingomyelin was also developed for use on these semi-thin epon sections. Finally, ultrathin serial sections can be cut from these same tissue blocks and stained for ultrastructural examination by electron microscopy.     

Ultrastructural visualization of elastic fibres with a tannate-metal salt method

Summary A modification of the tannic acid-metal salt method was applied as an ultrastructural stain for elastin. Thin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, embedded rat aorta and rabbit elastic cartilage, with and without osmication, were examined. Raising the pH of the tannic acid solution from 2.7 to 9.0 progressively increased the electron-density of elastic fibres and collagen fibrils in osmicated and unosmicated specimens. The maximum tannic acid staining of elastic fibres was observed in the pH range 7.0–9.0. Collagen staining, although less intense than that of elastic fibres, was also greatest in this pH range. Elastic fibres in osmicated specimens demonstrated the strongest tannic acid staining with a minimal increase in density of collagen and cell nuclei when compared to the unosmicated specimens. Sequential treatments of osmicated specimens with tannic acid pH 7.0–9.0, and uranyl acetate, pH 4.1, enhanced the density of the elastin intensely, increased collagen staining moderately, but hardly increased the density of nuclei and microfibrils. In elastase-digested osmicated specimens, all tannic acid (pH 7.0)-uranyl acetate-reactive elastin was selectively removed. These results demonstrate that all the neutral and alkaline tannic acid-uranyl acetate methods can be used as a postembedment stain for elastin specimens fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide.     

Effects of tannic acid on antigenicity and membrane contrast in ultrastructural immunocytochemistry.

We have modified our previous method for immunogold staining of unosmicated, plastic-embedded tissue by addition of tannic acid as a post-fixative to increase membrane contrast. Overall cell ultrastructure and organelle membranes, in particular, appeared well preserved after this treatment. We evaluated quantitatively the effect of tannic acid on the antigenicity of several membrane proteins in rat liver and intestine. For all antigens tested, significant antigenicity was retained on both intracellular and plasma membranes. However, the level of antigenicity decreased with increased concentrations of tannic acid. This effect was most apparent on the apical and basolateral membranes of hepatocytes and on the apical membrane of enterocytes, surfaces that had been in direct contact with the tannic acid fixative. The results indicate that when low concentrations of tannic acid are employed, this method yields greatly enhanced membrane contrast while preserving sufficient antigenicity to facilitate the ultrastructural localization of many membrane and other antigens.     

A Staining Combination for Phloem and Contiguous Tissues

A technic is described for producing critically stained preparations of phloem tissue. The preparations promise to be relatively stable. Sections of fixed unembedded or of embedded (paraffin or celloidin) phloem, cambium, and xylem are (1) stained in Foster's tannic acid-ferric chloride combination; (2) treated with 1% NaHCOg in 25% or 50% ethyl alcohol for 30 minutes; (3) stained in a saturated solution of lacmoid (made alkaline by adding a few ml. of 1% NaHCO₃ in 25% alcohol) for 12 to 18 hours; (4) dehydrated and cleared in a series composed of 1% solution of NaHCO_s in 50% ethyl alcohol, 80%, 95%, and absolute alcohol, equal proportions of absolute alcohol, clove oil, and xylene, and finally pure xylene; and (5) mounted in a neutral resin. Callose and lignified secondary walls are blue or blue-green in color, cellulose walls and stainable protoplasmic contents are generally light brown. The technic has been successful with sections from 5 to 40μ in thickness, and the staining has been satisfactory for both color and black and white photomicrography.     

Rapid and simple method for the determination of tryptophan in cereal grains.

Alkaline extracts of cereal proteins are treated in the prescribed sequence: Glacial acetic acid-ferric chloride and 25.8 n H₂SO₄ solutions. Specified amounts of these solutions and the sample are added in order to obtain the required sulfuric acid concentration in the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is heated at 60°C for 45 min (cereal proteins) or 110 min (standard tryptophan). The absorbance of the resulting violet solution is read at 545 nm. Results are highly precise and agree quite favorably with those of the modified Spies and Chambers method using Pronase hydrolyzates. As little as 6–7 μg of tryptophan in cereal proteins may be determined reliably in samples with negligible blank corrections.The factors affecting color development and the accuracy and precision of the method are discussed.     

Improved gold chloride staining method for anatomical analysis of sensory nerve endings in the shoulder capsule and labrum as examples of loose and dense fibrous tissues

Consistency in gold chloride staining is essential for anatomical analysis of sensory nerve endings. The gold chloride stain for this purpose has been modified by many investigators, but often yields inconsistent staining, which makes it difficult to differentiate structures and to determine nerve ending distribution in large tissue samples. We introduce additional steps and major changes to the modified Gairns’ protocol. We controlled the temperature and mixing rate during tissue staining to achieve consistent staining and complete solution penetration. We subjected samples to sucrose dehydration to improve cutting efficiency. We then exposed samples to a solution containing lemon juice, formic acid and paraformaldehyde to produce optimal tissue transparency with minimal tissue deformity. We extended the time for gold chloride impregnation 1.5 fold. Gold chloride was reduced in the labrum using 25% formic acid in water for 18 h and in the capsule using 25% formic acid in citrate phosphate buffer for 2 h. Citrate binds gold nanoparticles, which minimizes aggregation in the tissue. We stored samples in fresh ultrapure water at 4° C to slow reduction and to maintain color contrast in the tissue. Tissue samples were embedded in Tissue Tek and sectioned at 80 and 100 μm instead of using glycerin and teasing the tissue apart as in Gairns’ modified gold chloride method. We attached sections directly to gelatin subbed slides after sectioning with a cryostat. The slides then were processed and coverslipped with Permount. Staining consistency was demonstrated throughout the tissue sections and neural structures were clearly identifiable.     

On the lack of specificity of the cobalt-bicarbonate method for carbonic anhydrase.

Data are presented that support a nonenzymic mechanism for the staining obtained with the cobalt-bicarbonate method. The biochemically inactive apocarbonic anhydrase and Cu+2 apocarbonic anhydrase stain positively and this stain is inhibited by acetazolamide. The staining of the acetazolamide resistant carbonic anhydrase of male rat liver is inhibited by 10-6 M acetazolamide, at which concentration no biochemical inhibition is observed. There is no correlation between the biochemical and histochemical inhibitory potencies of a number of sulfonamides. The nonsulfonamide inhibitor, KCNO, does not inhibit staining. When incubations are performed in media exposed to atmospheres of increasing CO2 content, staining is not abolished until the atmospheric pCO2 approaches that generated by the medium itself. This finding renders the carbonic anhydrase catalyzed dehydration of HCO3- an improbable reaction for the staining. Studies with modified media show differences in staining patterns and in sensitivity to acetazolamide inhibition which question the specificity of the method for carbonic anhydrase.     

Increased accuracy of absorption cytophotometric DNA values by control of stain intensity

A method of improving absorption cytophotometric cellular DNA values by making measurements on Feulgenstained cells at optimal stain absorbances has been developed. Stain intensity can be controlled either by alteration of the Feulgen staining reaction or by selection of "off-peak" wavelengths of light for cytometry. The use of chicken red blood cells as an internal standard, and of a computerized cytometer for the measurements, allows selection of the appropriate off-peak light wavelengths, correction for staining variability at different sites on the same slide, and rapid calculation of cellular DNA values. Cytometry can also be performed at controlled absorbance levels on autoradiographs of 3H-thymidine-labeled cells to allow direct study of the DNA content of nonlabeled G1/G0 and G2/M cells. Use of this technique on mixtures of mouse thymocytes, spleen cells, bone marrow cells, and liver cells gave essentially identical values for G1/G0 cellular DNA content, with coefficients of variation of less than 3%.     

Activity of Ca(2+)-dependent neutral proteinases in rat organs under cobalt and mercury chloride injection

The activity of Ca(2+)-dependent neutral proteinases in rats under cobalt and mercury chloride injection was investigated. The calpains activity increase in the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys was revealed after 2 h cobalt chloride action. The mercury chloride gives a reliable increase of calcium-dependent neutral proteinases only in the kidneys.     

The use of bright-field microscopy in evaluating bovine acrosome reaction

A novel stain for evaluating the acrosomes of bovine spermatozoa was investigated. Acrosome reactions were induced by incubating spermatozoa enriched by swim-up with 1 mumol/l calcium ionophore A23187 for 1 or 1.5 h, while control samples were incubated in modified Tyrode's medium alone. After fixing in formaldehyde, spermatozoa were stained either with naphthol yellow S plus erythrosin B (NE) or with the novel stain, naphthol yellow S plus aniline blue (NA). The number of spermatozoa that had undergone acrosome reaction was counted and compared with results obtained using differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC). The correlation between the 2 staining methods was high (r=0.99), as was the correlation between NA staining and DIC (r=0.97). Slides stained with NA showed little background staining and the preparations were permanent. The results indicate that NA may be a useful stain for the bright-field evaluation of the bovine acrosome.     

Tannic acid-iron alum reactions: stain of choice for macroscopic sections of brain to be embedded in plastic.

As a macroscopic stain for gross brain sections to be embedded in plastic, tannic acid-iron alum is superior to the generally recommended LeMasurier's variation of the Berlin blue technique because of its greater permanency in plastic. However, as originally adopted for use with brain tissue by Mulligan, the intense black staining of gray matter is too dark for plastic embedded specimens. A modification of this method designed to overcome this difficulty is described. Staining procedure: Wash formalin-fixed brain slices overnight in running water. Wash in distilled water, 2 changes, 30 minutes each. Place slices individually in Mulligan's solution at a temperature of 60-65 C for 4 minutes. Rinse in ice water for 10 seconds. Mordant in 0.4% tannic acid in distilled water for 1 minute. Wash in running tap water for 1 minute. Develop in 0.08% ferric ammonium sulfate in distilled water until gray matter is light gray, about 10-15 seconds. Wash in lukewarm running water for 1 hour, then gently hand-rub whitish film from myelinated surfaces. Store briefly in 3% formalin or 25% glycerine if necessary depending on plastic embedding procedure to be followed.     

Modified Elastic Tissue-Masson Trichrome Stain

A combined elastic tissue-Massou technique is presented which stains elastic fibers of all sizes, nuclei and connective tissue. The modified elastic tissue stain consists of hematoxylin, ferric chloride and Verhoeffs iodine; nuclei and elastic fibers are stained blue-black in six minutes without differentiation. By contrast, cytoplasmic elements are stained red, (Biebrich scarlet-acid fuchsin) and collagen is stained green (light green) or blue (aniline blue). The entire staining procedure takes approximately one hour.     

Modified elastic tissue-Masson trichrome stain

A combined elastic tissue-Masson technique is presented which stains elastic fibers of all sizes, nuclei and connective tissue. The modified elastic tissue stain consists of hematoxylin, ferric chloride and Verhoeff's iodine; nuclei and elastic fibers are stained blue-black in six minutes without differentiation. By contrast, cytoplasmic elements are stained red, (Biebrich scarlet-acid fuchsin) and collagen is stained green (light green) or blue (aniline blue). The entire staining procedure takes approximately one hour.     

A high-affinity reversible protein stain for Western blots

We describe a reversible staining technique, using MemCode, a reversible protein stain by which proteins can be visualized on nitrocellulose and polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) membranes without being permanently fixed to the membrane itself. This allows subsequent immunoblot analysis of the proteins to be performed. The procedure is applicable only to protein blots on nitrocellulose and PVDF membranes. MemCode is a reversible protein stain composed of copper as a part of an organic complex that interacts noncovalently with proteins. MemCode shows rapid protein staining, taking 30s to 1 min for completion. The method is simple and utilizes convenient application conditions that are compatible with the matrix materials and the protein. The stain is more sensitive than any previously described dye-based universal protein staining system. The turquoise-blue-stained protein bands do not fade with time and are easy to photograph compared to those stained with Ponceau S. Absorbance in the blue region of the spectrum offers good properties for photo documentation and avoids interference from common biological chromophores. The stain on the protein is easily reversible in 2 min for nitrocellulose membrane and in 10 min for PVDF membrane with MemCode stain eraser. The stain is compatible with general Western blot detection systems, and membrane treatment with MemCode stain does not interfere with conventional chemiluminescent or chromogenic detection using horseradish peroxide and alkaline phosphatase substrates. The stain is also compatible with N-terminal sequence analysis of proteins.     

The structure of the tips of mammalian respiratory cilia

Summary The ciliary crown and the relationship of the ciliary crown to the underlying axoneme were studied by electron microscopy in cilia from hamster and rat trachea and bronchioles, and rabbit trachea. The ciliary crown is a cluster of 4 to 6 fibrils 35 nm long protruding beyond the plasma membrane at the tips of the cilia. The fibrils are well preserved after tannic acidglutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation and have high contrast with a periodic density of 4.5 nm. They stain relatively weakly with phosphotungstic acid. The surface of the fibrils stains with ruthenium red.The microtubules of the axoneme end in a plate of electron dense amorphous material. A five layered disc occupies the space between the membrane and the amorphous plate at the tip of the axoneme. The plasma membrane can be dissolved with the detergent triton X-100 without loss of the ciliary crown. This indicates that the ciliary crown is composed of transmembranous filaments which are bound to the disc at the tip of the axoneme.Supported by U.S.P.H.S. Research Grant number HL-12650     

A simple method using alizarin red S for the detection of calcium in epoxy resin embedded tissue

This report presents a simple procedure for staining 1-2 microns epoxy plastic sections of cells and mineralizing matrix present in fetal bovine bone tissue cultures. A 0.3% aqueous toluidine blue O solution was used as a cellular stain and was followed with 2% alizarin red S for the detection of calcium at sites of mineralization. Effects of concentration and pH of alizarin red S on the penetration of epon embedded thick sections were investigated. Optimal staining was achieved with a 2% aqueous alizarin red S solution adjusted to a pH of 5.5-6.5. This staining procedure provides unusually clear contrast between mineral and bone cells in plastic sections for light microscopy.