Resin embedment of organs and postembedment localization of antigens by immunoperoxidase methods

Wolf D. Kuhlmann, R. Krischan

 

Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Immunocytochemistry, Institut für Nuklearmedizin
DKFZ Heidelberg, Germany
Various procedures for nonpolar and polar resin embedment were applied to mouse and rat livers for the study of postembedment immunolocalization of alpha-1-fetoprotein, albumin and the microsomal enzyme epoxide hydrolase. Fixations with formaldehyde and with formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde mixtures were used for tissue stabilization. Treatment of liver with inert compounds such as polyvinyl-pyrrolidones or chemical modification of antigens with ethyl acetimidate prior to embedment improved immuno-staining. Either the low-polarity solvent ethanol or the high polar ethylene glycol could be employed as dehydrating agents. Antigens were readily localized in sections from Epon 812 embedded livers. For this purpose, polymerized resin had to be partially removed. On the other hand, immunoreactivity of antigens was only faint after embedment in an epoxy resin based on diepoxide octane. Also, antigens reacted faintly in sections from livers which were embedded at 0º C in the polar acrylate-methacrylate based Lowicryl K4M resin. The indirect peroxidase labelled antibody method was as specific and sensitive as the PAP technique. Optimal antigen detection was attained with antibodies isolated by affinity chromatography and purified conjugates. Apart from purified immunological reagents, the addition of high molarity sodium chloride and bovine serum albumin to the wash solutions enhanced immunohistological specificity.