[Histonet] Treatment of calcified human arteries

[gayle callis]

Dear Galina, 

 Formic acid, buffered that contain either sodium citrate or sodium formate
that have an approximate 4.5% formic acid concentration (yes, I did the
calculation one time) and as made from 90% stock formic acid.       You can
buy these decalcifying solutions from a vendor, but look at the MSDS so you
know what is in the solution.  These are both well known e.g. "classic"
formic acid solutions.    If you are into making up your own solutions, what
Liz Chliplala suggested is excellent although not buffered.    Make sure
your arteries are totally fixed in order to protect the antigens from
effects of acid decalcification.  

I replied yesterday about Massons Trichrome and have a protocol with a
modified, more concentrated Weigerts Iron Hematoxylin that proved to be far
superior for decalcified tissues/bones.   The nuclei were never
differentiated out to the point of weak staining.    I will be happy to send
if you want it.  

Good luck

Gayle M. Callis
HTL/HT/MT(ASCP)

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Galina
Deyneko
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 9:06 AM
To: histology; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Treatment of calcified human arteries

Dear Colleagues
 Please share your expertise on treating heavily calcified human arteries.
It is impossible to cut them without deminiralization in my opinion. Should
I use decalcification solution before processing? If yes, what reagent do
you recommend taking in account that I will do IHC for macrophages and other
targets on these samples, as well as Sirius Red and Masson Trichrome
staining.
 Thank you in advance

Galina Deyneko
Novartis, Cambridge, MA
 
617-871-7613 w
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