Tri Chrome Stains Flashcards
Compositions of trichrome stains
- 2 or more acidic dyes
- 1 nuclear counterstian (typically weigerts Hx)
histochemical basis of trichrome stains
ionic charge/pH & molecular weight/size
(exploitation of tissue porosity and the differing molecular weights of different dyes)
What is mass action
the considerations of how millions of molecules within the dyes are acting as opposed to the focusing on one molecues interactions with potential binding sites
How is the differential staining of tissue elements dictated within trichrome stains?
- Dye concentration
- Duration of dye application
- Dye molecular weight and aggregate form
- Differing dnesity of tissue elements
- Dye displacement
What is post-fixation
The procss of treating slides in a solution in order to stabalise the proteins within the tissue to enhance dye binding and staining outcomes (enhances vibrancy)
Components of the Van gieson stain and their function
- Weigerts Hx (nuclear counter stain)
- Vangieson Solution
- Acid Fuchsin (Stains collagen Red)
- Picric acid (Stains background Yellow)
- Acid Alcohol (differentiation if needed)
Characteristics of Acid fuchsin
- Medium molecular weight (586Da)
- stains collagen due to its low density (larger pores)
- part of the van gieson solution
- Acidic
Characteristics of Picric acid
- Low molecular weight (229Da)
- Can penetract higher density structures with smaller pores (muscles, RBC)
- Acidic
Characteristics of Weigerts Hx
- Nuclear counter-stain
- Very resistent to acidic environments
- Counter stain for trichrome stains
Purpose of each Trichrome stain
- Van Gieson = Collagen visualisation
- Massons Trichrome = Muscle and Collagen Visualisation
- Martius Yellow-Crystal Scarlet-Methyl Blue (MSB) = Connective tissue visualisation (collagen, Fibrin, and RBC’s)
Massons Trichrome components and functions
- Massons Red
- Acid Fuchsin (586 Da)
- Xyladine Ponceau (494 Da)
Used to stain RBC, Fibrin, and Muscle Red
- Methyl Blue (800 Da)
Used to stain collagen blue - Phosphomolybdic Acid (PMA)
Used to clear the massons red from porous tissue (Collagen) for methyl blue staining
MSB compnents and functions
- Weigerts Hx (counter stain)
- Martius Yellow (<250 Da)
- Stains small pores of RBC’s
- Crystal Ponceau (scarlet red 502 Da)
- Stains Fibrin, Muscle and Collagen red
- Phosphotungstic Acid (PTA)
- Clears scarlet red from collagen and old fibrin
- Methyl blue (800 Da)
- Restains Collagen (deep blue)
