[Histonet] Stain for Proteoglycans

[Anthony Reilly]

The classic stain for proeoglycans is the Movatt's stain in the AFIP ( insert proteoglycans for ground substances), though I have found this stain to be quite long and requires stains not routinely used in a modern laboratory.  We reularly use a modification of this method (using common stains used for other methods) for the staining of human aorta to demonstate proteoglycans which are the result of degenration of the connective tissue eg Marfan's syndrome.
 
First stain with Alcian Blue in the usual manner.
Fix this stain using the alcoholic ammonia as in Movatt's.
Then perform a standard Verhoeff's van Gieson.
This will give you the blue staining of the proteoglycans and classic staining of elastin fibres and collagen with the VVG.  The value of the method over a routine connective tissue stain can be seen in cases where the proteoglycans are present even though the connective tisssue staining appears normal.  
The critical step is the alcoholic ammonia which transforms the Alcian Blue to insoluable Monastral Blue without which all blue staining would be lost.
 
All the best.  Do not hesitate to contact me if you want a detailed version of the method.
 
 
Tony Reilly
Chief Scientist
Anatomical Pathology
Northside Pathology
Prince Charles Hospital
Ph: 3350 8543
Fax: 33508546
Email: tony_reilly <@t> health.qld.gov.au

>>> NIDAL E MUVARAK <nmuvarak <@t> facstaff.wisc.edu> 04/20/05 06:26am >>>
Is there a stain we could do to assess proteoglycan content in the mouse
pulmonary arteries?




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