Zinc Formalin Fixative For Automated Tissue Processing

Herman, Gilbert E.; Chlipala, Elizabeth; Bochenski, Gail; Sabin, Laurie; Elfont, Edna A.

doi:10.1179/his.1988.11.2.85

Cited by 21 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The problem of denatured proteins caused by formaldehyde is partly reversible and may be overcome by different strategies of epitope retrieval, eg, enzymatic (Huang et al, 1976) or heatinduced (Shi et al, 1991). For obvious reasons, several alternative fixatives have been suggested (Brenes et al, 1986;Garnis-Jones and Mah, 1988;Goldsworthy et al, 1999;Greer et al, 1991;Herman et al, 1988;Lalani et al, 1995;Shibutani et al, 2000;Weaver et al, 1992). However, none of which has fulfilled the demands according to above.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, none of which has fulfilled the demands according to above. Zinc compounds, as additives to formaldehyde fixatives, are described by several authors (Herman et al, 1988;Tome et al, 1990). Recently, Beckstead (Beckstead, 1994) presented a zinc-based fixative without cross-linking or coagulating agents but with retained morphologic qualities as well as preserved immunoreactivity.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Zinc-Based Fixative Improves Preservation of Genomic DNA and Proteins in Histoprocessing of Human Tissues

Wester

Asplund

Bäckvall

et al. 2003

Laboratory Investigation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARY:Advantageous preservation of histology and detailed cellular morphology has rendered neutral buffered formalin (NBF) the most widely used fixative in clinical pathology. Despite excellent morphology for routine diagnostics, a major drawback of NBF fixation is its detrimental effect on DNA and RNA quality. In addition to complicating analysis of genes and transcripts in complex tissues, NBF denatures proteins and thereby hampers immunohistochemical visualization of certain antigens. In the present study, we evaluated a zinc-based fixative (ZBF) regarding its effects on tissue morphology, quality of genomic DNA, and preservation of protein immunoreactivity in a broad spectrum of tissues. Four different modes of fixation were analyzed: ZBF-paraffin embedding, NBF-paraffin embedding, ZBF-fixation prior to snap-freezing, and immediate snap-freezing. Laserassisted microdissection, allowing retrieval of a defined number of cells for PCR, was used to study DNA quality. Genomic DNA was analyzed using primers for ␤2-microglobulin and the transferrin receptor. Immunohistochemistry was performed using nine antibodies. Tissue microarray blocks were used for analysis of morphology and immunoreactivity. Only slight impairment of morphologic qualities was found after ZBF-paraffin embedding, whereas ZBF prior to freezing resulted in a more crisp morphology compared with routine cryosections. A significantly higher DNA yield was observed in samples isolated from ZBF-paraffin-embedded tissues compared with NBF-paraffin-embedded tissues. Both yield and quality of DNA was comparable in frozen tissues irrespective to prior ZBF fixation. Immunoreactivity in paraffin-embedded tissue was superior in ZBF-fixated tissue compared with NBF-fixated for a majority of tested antibodies. Furthermore, for seven out of nine antibodies, antigen retrieval pretreatment proved unnecessary in ZBF-fixated tissue. Thus, despite a slight impairment of morphology, ZBF preserves protein structures well. We conclude that ZBF is superior to NBF for analysis of DNA and protein expression. Fixation of tissues in ZBF may also be an alternative strategy to freeze storage of tissue specimens, eg, in future bio-banks. (Lab Invest 2003, 83:889 -899).

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc-Based Fixative Improves Preservation of Genomic DNA and Proteins in Histoprocessing of Human Tissues

Wester

Asplund

Bäckvall

et al. 2003

Laboratory Investigation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Fixatives containing mercuric chloride are not popular currently because of its toxicity. Zinc salts have been proposed as much less toxic ingredients, with a coagulant action similar to that of mercuric chloride (Barszcz 1976, Barszcz et al 1981, Herman et al 1988, Dapson 1993. The actions of mercury and zinc are not the same.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

A system for quantitative evaluation of fixatives for light microscopy using paraffin sections of kidney and brain

Kiernan

2009

Biotechnic & Histochemistry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A numerical scoring system is presented for evaluating structural fixation of certain mammalian tissues for light microscopy. Small pieces of rat's kidney and brain, tissues for which artifacts of fixation are well documented, were fixed in various fluids. Random code numbers hid their identities, and paraffin sections were stained to show nuclear chromatin, cytoplasm and extracellular materials. Two sections of each specimen were examined and awarded scores according to described schemes, for microanatomical and cytological fixation. The assessment was confined to preservation of structure; chemical changes were not taken into account. When the code was broken, the scores for both sections of each specimen from each fixative were added. The scores obtained (24 best to eight worst) are generally comparable to the grades (I-V) given for traditional fixatives by JR Baker. The criteria for quality of fixation were defined more explicitly than those for Baker's grading method, which used mouse testis as the test object. Assessments are presented for several traditional fixatives and for four zinc-formaldehyde mixtures. The scoring system should be useful for evaluating newly developed fixatives for animal tissues for light microscopic examination of paraffin sections. In an evaluation of four traditional fixatives and four zinc-formaldehyde mixtures, variation among three different observers was only +/-1 point on either side of the median score for microanatomical or cytological preservation by any of the eight fixatives. This approach has certain limitations, notably that the criteria for cytological fixation do not include the preservation of chromosomes or specific cytoplasmic organelles.

show abstract

“…12.7 ). Only later was it discovered that it preserved immunoreactivity of many antigens 23,27 and subsequently became quite popular. The need for AR is almost eliminated, even after prolonged exposure (30 days) to zinc formalin.…”

Section: Zinc Fixativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms of Action and Proper Use of Common Fixatives

Dapson¹

2010

Antigen Retrieval Immunohistochemistry Based Research and Diagnostics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Zinc Formalin Fixative For Automated Tissue Processing

Cited by 21 publications

References 5 publications

Zinc-Based Fixative Improves Preservation of Genomic DNA and Proteins in Histoprocessing of Human Tissues

Zinc-Based Fixative Improves Preservation of Genomic DNA and Proteins in Histoprocessing of Human Tissues

A system for quantitative evaluation of fixatives for light microscopy using paraffin sections of kidney and brain

Mechanisms of Action and Proper Use of Common Fixatives

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About