Fixation Flashcards
Name the chemical components of a cell nucleus and proper fixation methods to preserve these components.
The cell nucleus contains proteins and the two nucleic acids, DNA, and RNA. Some of the proteins are directly attached to the nucleic acids. Fixation generally stabilizes the proteins attached to the nucleic acids, but formalin-fixed nuclei may show irregular staining and clear spaces in the nucleus, which is referred to as nuclear bubbling. Nuclear bubbling results from improper fixation of the nucleic acids. The use of zinc or mercuric chloride in formalin, such as in Zenker solution, improves nuclear details. Commercial zinc formalin is readily available. Bouin solution, which contains picric acid, also enhances nuclear detail.
Describe how to identify a poorly fixed tissue sample.
An H&E stained slide of a poorly fixed specimen shows tissue degradation, and the relationship between the various structures in the tissue are poor. Cells lack a clear demarcation between their nucleus and cytoplasm. Often cell membranes are gone. The sample stains poorly. The specimen may show nuclear bubbling (i.e, the nucleus has clumps of chromatin and open, clear spaces within it). In tissue such as intestine or skin, many surface epithelial cells are missing. It is difficult to properly evaluate and diagnose a poorly fixed tissue sample.
Discuss why you might see a white deposit in tissue fixed with zinc-formalin.
If you do not wash all the zinc formalin from tissue following fixation, a white precipitate may result. The white deposit is zinc, which precipitates out of solution when the zinc reacts with the carbonates in water. White precipitate may also be caused by a change in the pH. Heat, pressure, and vacuum from automated processing may also cause the precipitate to form. Use buffered formalin to prevent the formation of the white deposit. It will also disappear during H&E staining, because of the acidity of the staining reagents.
Discuss the use of picric acid as a fixative.
Picric acid is a coagulating additive fixative. Picric acid penetrates tissue well and leaves the tissues soft, but it does cause extreme shrinkage. It is not a good fixative for nucleic acids, as it leaves DNA soluble. Picric acid will fix proteins well, but tissue left in it will show degradation of other tissue structures, so it must be washed out with 50% alcohol before processing. If picric acid is not washed out, it may also affect staining of the cell. Picric acid is a component of several combination fixatives, such as Bouin solution, Genre solution, Hollande Solution, and Zamboni Solution (Buffered Picric Cid-PAF). Be cautious when using picric acid, because it is toxic and potentially explosive in its dry form at very high temperatures. Aqueous solutions containing picric acid, such as Bouin’s, are not hazardous, but they should be handled according to label directions.
Compare the use of osmium tetroxide and aldehydes as the primary fixatives for Electron Microscopy.
Osmium tetroxide is a good fixative for the preservation of cellular ultrastructure. Because it makes lipids insoluble, membrane detail is well preserved. However, tissue cannot be left in osmium longer than four hours because it leaches out protein. Osmium does not penetrate tissue well, so use small pieces of 1mm or less. Osmium cannot be used for histochemical studies. Osmium produces toxic vapors and must only be used under a fume hood. Aldehydes are good general fixatives that can be used for either electron or light microscopy. Tissue preserved in aldehydes can be studied using histochemical techniques because most proteins remain active. Aldehyde fixatives penetrate well, and tissue can remain soaking in most aldehydes indefinitely, although glutaraldehyde-fixed samples should be removed in 2-4 hours. However, detail is not as well preserved with aldehydes as it is with osmium. Membrane lipids are soluble in aldehyde, so membranes are often not visible. Secondary fixation in osmium will demonstrate a small percentage of the lipid structure.
Identify the best fixative for the following:
Red Blood cells; fat; collagen and muscle; immunoglobulin in lymphoid tissue; spirochetes; rabies; and uric acid crystals.
Red Blood cells- Methanol
fat- Formalin
collagen and muscle- Bouin
immunoglobulin in lymphoid tissue- B-5
spirochetes- NBF
rabies- Acetone
uric acid crystals- Absolute alcohol
Explain how formalin works as a fixative
Formalin is an additive fixative. It reacts primarily with the amino groups on the amino acids of proteins to form bonds, which cross-link the protein chains together. It is a non-coagulating fixative, forming a gel, that makes the proteins insoluble and keeps them in place and able to withstand further processing. Formalin penetrates the tissue quickly, although there is evidence that complete fixation is not rapid. The formation of cross-linkage, which stabilizes the protein, is a slow process that may take up to seven days for complete fixation to occur.
Define paraformaldehyde
Paraformaldehyde is a polymerized form of formaldehyde. It is often used in electron microscopy when a very pure formaldehyde solution is required. Several fixatives are prepared by heating paraformaldehyde, which depolymerizes or dissociates into pure formaldehyde. A common preparation for an EM fixative is 4% paraformaldehyde in cacodylate buffer. Depolymerize the paraformaldehyde by warming it to 60 deg C. Add sodium hydroxide and mechanically stir the solution until it clears. Add the cacodylate buffer to adjust the pH from 7.2 to 7.4. If the final solution is cloudy, it is probably because depolymerization was incomplete.
Discuss the use of glutaraldehyde as a fixative.
Glutaraldehyde acts like a formaldehyde in that it acts as a cross-linking agent on protein. It does not penetrate tissue as well as formalin, so it is best used on smaller samples. Glutaraldehyde is commonly used in electron microscopy because it preserves ultrastructural details. Let tissue remain in glutaraldehyde for less than 2 hours to avoid overhardening, then transfer the tissue to a buffer solution. Do not use glutaraldehyde with PAS (periodic-acid Schiff) stain, as remaining free aldehyde groups will cause false positive reactions.
Discuss considerations for preparation of tissue for a muscle biopsy.
The majority of enzyme stains done in Histology are on muscle. It is very important that you freeze the muscle according to established procedures, to prevent the formation of ice crystals in the tissue, which could confuse the interpretation of the staining. Orient the tissue to get a cross-section, so that the muscle fibers and the pattern of staining can be observed. The best frozen sections are obtained by freezing tissue in isopentane and liquid nitrogen. Let the isopentane reach -150 deg C before submerging the tissue, to prevent ice crystals from forming. If isopentane is not available, dust the tissue with talc and then submerge it into the liquid nitrogen. The liquid nitrogen prevents the formation of bubbles. After you remove the tissue from the isopentane, allow it to warm to -20 deg C to evaporate any excess isopentane before you cut it. If the tissue is too cold, it will be very hard to section.
Explain why a cytology specimen might be fixed in Carnoy solution.
Carnoy solution is a rapid-acting fixative made from a combination of absolute alcohol, chloroform, and acetic acid. It preserves glycogen and maintains the nuclear features of the cells. Carnoy solution lyses red blood cells, which is desirable in cytology samples, where the red blood cells do not need to be examined because they are not of interest. Carnoy solution causes excessive shrinkage and hardens the tissue, so do not use it routinely. Make a modified Carnoy solution by substituting methyl alcohol for ethyl alcohol. This modification decreases shrinkage and hardening of tissues.
Discuss the formation of formalin pigment as a fixation artifact.
Formalin pigment is an acid hematin pigment that can be produced during formalin fixation of tissue. The brown, crystalline pigment forms in tissue that is rich in blood when the pH of the formaldehyde becomes acidic, usually below a pH of 6.0. It is an undesirable artifact because the fine particles can be confused with more diagnostically important features, such as pathologically relevant pigments or microorganisms. Prevent the formation of formalin pigment by using neutral solutions of formalin. If formalin pigment forms, remove it by using alcoholic picric acid or alkaline alcohol.
Identify components of the fixative B-5. Describe when B-5 should be used as a fixative.
B-5 has become the fixative of choice for preservation of nuclear detail in bone marrow and lymph tissue. It is also useful for special stains, such as immunofluorescence and IHC, because it does not destroy tissue antigens. B-5 contains mercuric chloride and sodium acetate in formaldehyde. Prepare it immediately before use. Wash the tissue before staining it to remove the mercury pigment. Modifications of B-5 that use non-toxic zinc salts, instead of neurotoxic mercury, have been developed and are available commercially. Studies show comparable results to the original formula. Zinc-based B-5 is advantageous because technicians do not have to deal with handling and disposing of the toxic mercury.
Identify cellular features that can be used to assess fixation in electron microscopy.
Electron microscopy demonstrates ultrastructural details that cannot be seen in light microscopy, even at the highest magnifications. It is very important to fix tissue properly to preserve the most detail. Fixation should begin immediately after the tissue is excised, to limit the amount of autolysis and putrefaction. Properly fixed tissue shows a complete plasma membrane. The space between the two layers that make up the nuclear membrane should be apparent. Cytoplasmic organelles should remain intact. Mitochondria are a good monitor of proper fixation, as they should show no swelling or disruption. The endoplasmic reticulum should appear as distinct channels in the cytoplasm. Nuclear detail will vary, depending on the fixative used.
Describe a method for transporting kidney for immunofluorescence studies.
To transport kidney tissue short distances, wrap the tissue in saline-dampened gauze, place it in a tight container, and keep the container on ice. Do not expose the kidney tissue directly to ice. For longer times in transport, use Michel Transport Medium. Michel’s will keep the tissue at physiological pH to preserve the antigens for immunofluorescence studies.