[Histonet] RE: Fixing frozens in 4% PFA

[Wester, Martha]

I frequently use an immunohistochemistry protocol which calls for BRIEF fixation of the frozen slides in PFA or 10% Neutral buffered Formalin (30sec up to 5min).  This seems to help adhere the sections to the slide more so than have any additive effect on the tissue.  I 've never played with the fixation times to see at what point IHC signal is affected.  Good Luck!
Martha Wester
Associate Scientist
MedImmune, Inc.
One MedImmune Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-398-4794
fax 301-398-9794


Message: 13
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 11:35:59 -0500
From: NIDAL E MUVARAK <nmuvarak <@t> facstaff.wisc.edu>
Subject: [Histonet] Fixing frozen sections in 4% Paraformaldehyde.
To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Message-ID: <28870a286898.28689828870a <@t> wiscmail.wisc.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Is it common to fix frozen sections of unfixed tissue with 4% PFA the same way they can be fixed with acetone? I know it will definitely take longer than aceton fixation, but has that been done? Thanks.

Nidal E Muvarak
Associate Research Specialist
Vascular Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory
Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1550 Engineering Dr.; Rm. 2158
Madison, WI 53706-1609
Lab: (608) 265-8921; Office: (608) 265-4205; 
Home: (608) 256-7934; Cell: (608) 332-6068
http://vtb.bme.wisc.edu