PLP fixation for combined routine histology and immunocytochemistry of liver biopsies

Abstract

The development of monoclonal antibodies has facilitated both histopathological diagnosis and research by allowing the presence of various cytoplasmic and cell surface antigens to be shown on lymphoid and other cells. Showing the presence in liver biopsy specimens of surface markers for lymphocytes, accessory immune cells, and epithelial cells by using monoclonal antibodies has largely been limited to frozen tissue; reliable and reproducible results have not been obtained in paraffin embedded tissue. This creates several problems. Frozen sections are inferior in morphological detail to paraffin sections and are less easily stored. Dividing the biopsy specimen into two for frozen and paraffin sectioning increases the possibility of sampling error, and frozen sectioning introduces a risk of infection for laboratory staff, especially when material from patients with viral hepatitis is handled. Recently Collings et al reported the successful use of several monoclonal antibodies using paraffin embedding after fixation of tissues in periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde (PLP). In this study the authors applied this technique to liver biopsy specimens to access its suitability for routine diagnostic purposes.