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Michel's medium: a potential alternative to cryoprotection for tissue transport in the investigation of genetic skin disease
Author(s) -
A. Woollons,
G J Holmes,
M J Gratian,
B. Bhogal,
Martin Black
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2230.1999.00540.x
Subject(s) - immunoelectron microscopy , basement membrane , pathology , dermatology , immunofluorescence , medicine , epidermolysis bullosa , immunohistochemistry , immunology , antibody
Michel's medium is now well established as a transport medium to maintain tissue‐fixed immunoreactants prior to direct immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. This is a practical alternative to cryofixation prior to transportation when sending skin biopsies for the investigation of cutaneous immunobullous disease. In this study we have demonstrated preservation of the cutaneous basement membrane zone proteins in skin biopsies stored in Michel's medium for periods of up to 28 days – proving that Michel's medium can be used as a transport medium when sending skin biopsies for immunohistochemical studies to determine the structural and molecular deficiencies in genodermatoses such as inherited forms of epidermolysis bullosa.