[Histonet] Mast Cell Stain other than Toluidine Blue

John Kiernan jkiernan <@t> uwo.ca
Thu Sep 30 23:39:26 CDT 2004


For what it's worth, I endorse Tony Henwood's comment 100%,
having done mast cell research for 40+ years. Mast cells derive 
their identity from granules made largely of heparin, which
is a heavily sulphated (=strongly acidic) macromolecular
carbohydrate. At low pH, heparin and the chondroitin sulphates
are just about the only big molecules (in a connective tissue)
that can bind a cationic dye. Alcian blue (the genuine article)
can make permanently insoluble deposits at sites of mast cell
granules. Counterstains can be tried and tested ad libitum, and
the turquoise alcian blue colour will always be there in the
mast cell grsnules.
____________________________________________________________________
Tony Henwood wrote:
> 
> The alcian blue at pH 1 is a good demonstration method for mast cells.
> 
> Tony Henwood JP, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC)
> Laboratory Manager
> The Children's Hospital at Westmead,
> Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145, AUSTRALIA.
> Tel: 612 9845 3306
> Fax: 612 9845 3318
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gayle Callis [mailto:gcallis <@t> montana.edu]
> Sent: Friday, 1 October 2004 12:49 AM
> To: Featherstone, Annette; Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Mast Cell Stain other than Toluidine Blue
> 
> No, but I have two methods that are very simple, both are T blue.  Churkian
> Schenk is my favorite, but have also used a method nicely passed on to me
> by Liz Chlipala out of Frieda Carson's book, a pH 4.3 T blue that takes 3
> to 5 minutes, rinse with water, air dry the section and mount.  This one is
> really simple and fast.   If you want, I can forward both to you privately.
> 
> At 05:37 AM 9/30/2004, you wrote:
> >Does anyone have a simple Mast Cell Stain other than Toluidine Blue?
> >Annette Featherstone HT/MLT
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: hymclab [mailto:hymclab <@t> hyhc.com]
> >Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 15:23
> >To: 'Andrea Grantham'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >Subject: RE: [Histonet] Bouins substitute in Trichrome staining
> >
> >
> >PLEASE POST
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Andrea Grantham [mailto:algranth <@t> u.arizona.edu]
> >Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 10:38 AM
> >To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >Subject: [Histonet] Bouins substitute in Trichrome staining
> >
> >
> >I attended a workshop at NSH last week on connective tissue staining and
> >one of the attendees said they were using citrate buffer instead of bouins
> >as a mordant. I couldn't catch up with her after the workshop to ask about
> >the protocol. Is anybody out in histoland doing this? Would you mind
> >sharing your protocol if you are?
> >Thanks!!
> >Andi Grantham
> >.....................................................................
> >: Andrea Grantham, HT(ASCP)     Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy     :
> >: Sr. Research Specialist       University of Arizona               :
> >: (office:  AHSC 4212)          P.O. Box 245044                     :
> >: (voice:  520-626-4415)        Tucson, AZ  85724-5044    USA       :
> >: (FAX:  520-626-2097)          (email:  algranth <@t> u.arizona.edu)       :
> >:...................................................................:
> >            http://www.cba.arizona.edu/histology-lab.html




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