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RCL2, a potential formalin substitute for tissue fixation in routine pathological specimens
Author(s) -
Masir Noraidah,
Ghoddoosi Mahdiieh,
Mansor Suhada,
AbdulRahman Faridah,
Florence Chandramaya S.,
MohamedIsmail Nor Azlin,
Tamby MohammadRafaee,
MdLatar Nani Harlina
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2011.04127.x
Subject(s) - fixative , immunohistochemistry , microtome , fixation (population genetics) , pathology , histopathology , staining , in situ hybridization , cytokeratin , biology , medicine , messenger rna , biochemistry , gene
Masir N, Ghoddoosi M, Mansor S, Abdul‐Rahman F, Florence C S, Mohamed‐Ismail N A, Tamby M‐R & Md‐Latar N H
(2012) Histopathology 60, 804–815 RCL2, a potential formalin substitute for tissue fixation in routine pathological specimens Aims: To investigate RCL2 as a fixative for tissue fixation in routine histopathological examination and to assess tissue suitability for ancillary investigations. Methods and results: Forty‐nine samples from 36 fresh specimens were cut into three equal pieces and fixed in RCL2 diluted in 100% ethanol, RCL2 in 95% ethanol, or neutral buffered formalin as control. Suitability for microtomy, quality of histomorphology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent and silver in‐situ hybridization analysis and extracted genomic DNA were assessed. Microtomy was straightforward in most tissue blocks, but there was difficulty in cutting in approximately a quarter of samples, which required careful handling by an experienced technician. There were no significant differences in tissue morphology between RCL2‐ and formalin‐fixed tissues ( P = 0.08). Generally, the quality of histochemical staining, immunohistochemistry and in‐situ hybridization were comparable to that of formalin‐fixed tissues. Inconsistent immunoreactivity was noted, however, with antibodies against pan‐cytokeratin and progesterone receptor. Genomic DNA concentration was higher in RCL2‐fixed tissues. Using RCL2 diluted in 95% ethanol did not affect fixation quality. Conclusion: RCL2 is a potential formalin substitute suitable as a fixative for use in routine histopathological examination; however, difficulty in microtomy and occasional discrepancies in immunohistochemical reactivity require further optimization of the methodology.