[Histonet] Vasculature, Non IHC

[Amos Brooks]

Hi Sarah,
     I think Verhoeff vanGieson would be much more effective here than a
pentachrome. It is possible for subsequent steps in the pentachrome
procedures to over differentiate the elastic or possibly just obscure it.
Furthermore the vanGieson counterstain contrasts the elastic better.
    If you are trying to get away from the whole VVG staining while
demonstrating the vasculature, you could also try a Picrosirius Red. This
will deminstrate the collagen fibers nicely. Please let me know if you need
a nice procedure for this. It can be a easy stain, but it is just as easy to
goof up if the solutions aren't prepared and maintained properly. If I think
of another I'll post it, but that is what popped into mind first.
    There are also a number of other Trichrome techniques you could try.
Possibly Gomori's, Mallory's or Lillie's might work better for this than the
commonly used Masson's.
    By the way, I too was taken aback by the total absence of traditional
histochemical suggestions. Is IHC such a crutch these days, or am I just
getting old?

Amos


Message: 4
Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 13:02:30 -0500
From: <sgoebel <@t> mirnarx.com>
Subject: [Histonet] ...maybe a little more specific
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
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       <D957F2A7D21959488C492A2680F9920A2959A6 <@t> svrexch.asuragen.us>
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So am getting lots of responses for IHC stains (which is ok), but I am
doing these stains on mouse xenografts and the background is getting in
my way a lot.  Was just trying to find a simple special that would do
the trick =)

If IHC is the only way, so be it...was just hoping...



What about Verhoeff???