A Comparison of Lectin Binding to Frozen, Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded, and Acid Decalcified Paraffin Embedded Tissues

Abstract

A comparison was made between lectin binding to frozen, formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded, and to formic acid treated, paraffin wax embedded tissues, using three lectins UEA I, PNA, SBA. The binding to various rat tissues was assessed with a multiple layer immunoperoxidase staining method. Except for an increase in binding to some tissues, there was little difference between the acid treated and non-acid treated formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues. With several tissues, differences between frozen and paraffin embedded specimens suggested that care should be exercised in the choice of tissue processing if lectin histochemistry is to be undertaken. (The J Histotechnol 11:223, 1988.)

Keywords:

• lectin binding
• tissue processing