Utility of Scanning Electron Microscopy Elemental Analysis Using the ‘NanoSuit’ Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy Method in the Diagnosis of Lanthanum Phosphate Deposition in the Esophagogastroduodenal Mucosa

Abstract

Background: We have recently developed the correlative light and electron microscopy of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained glass slides using the ‘NanoSuit’ method. The aim of this study is to explore the utility of the new NanoSuit-correlative light and electron microscopy method combined with scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis for the diagnosis of lanthanum phosphate deposition in the H&E-stained glass slides. Methods: Nine H&E-stained glass slides of the upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa containing the brown pigmented areas by light microscopic observation, which were suspected as lanthanum phosphate deposition, were observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy using the NanoSuit-correlative light and electron microscopy method. Results: In all nine slides, the new NanoSuit-correlative light and electron microscopy method combined with scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the accumulation of both lanthanum and phosphorus in the tissue area corresponding to the brown pigment deposition. In addition to the existence of lanthanum phosphate in the stomach and duodenum, known target organs, we observed deposition in the esophagus for the first time. Furthermore, we observed lanthanum phosphate deposition in the background mucosa of stomach containing primary adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis using the NanoSuit-correlative light and electron microscopy method is useful for the diagnosis of lanthanum phosphate deposition in the H&E-stained glass slides. Lanthanum phosphate deposition occurs not only in the stomach and duodenum but also in the esophagus.

Diagnosis of Ion-Exchange Resin Depositions in Paraffin Sections Using Corrective Light and Electron Microscopy-NanoSuit Method

“…The benefits of the NanoSuit method include a charge-reducing effect without using heavy metals, and it is easy and quick to perform without requiring specialized equipment such as a draft chamber or sputtering equipment. The use of the NanoSuit method in medical applications has gradually increased [ 13 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. The NanoSuit membrane is very thin and does not interfere with the analysis of each element.…”

“…The NanoSuit membrane is very thin and does not interfere with the analysis of each element. NanoSuit has been shown to protect entire H&E-stained paraffin sections against drying, preserve elements and small molecules for EDS analysis, and enable re-staining with H&E [ 11 , 13 ]. However, the localized electrical beam marks remained after the EDS analysis in the present study because of the use of an electric beam at the maximum level ( Supplemental Figure S3 ).…”

“…The NanoSuit-CLEM method enabled a versatile study of the same structures by CLEM to observe tissue and pathogens with several analytical methods in an SEM without destruction of paraffin sections on slide glass [ 11 , 13 ]. First, the cover glass was removed using xylene, and the section on the slide was rehydrated using a drop of surface shield enhancer (SSE) solution (NanoSuit solution).…”

“…The NanoSuit-CLEM method requires only a few minutes to prepare samples without destruction of the specimens. Shinmura et al used this method on lanthanum depositions in paraffin sections of the GI tract for a definitive diagnosis [ 13 ]. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on the elemental analysis of ion-exchange resins in paraffin sections for performing a definitive diagnosis.…”

Identification and characterization of primary cilia‐positive salivary gland tumours exhibiting basaloid/myoepithelial differentiation

“…FE-SEM images were captured using the secondary electron (SE) detector with 520 K Shinmura et al reference to the backscattered electron (BSE) detector image. Sections used for ARL13B immunohistochemistry were also used for SEM observation using the NanoSuit-correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) method [31,32] and the SEM images were captured using the SE detector.…”