RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Improved resolution by mounting of tissue sections for laser microdissection
JF Molecular Pathology
JO Mol Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 240
OP 243
DO 10.1136/mp.56.4.240
VO 56
IS 4
A1 M C R F van Dijk
A1 P D M Rombout
A1 H B P M Dijkman
A1 D J Ruiter
A1 M R Bernsen
YR 2003
UL http://mp.bmj.com/content/56/4/240.abstract
AB Background: Laser microbeam microdissection has greatly facilitated the procurement of specific cell populations from tissue sections. However, the fact that a coverslip is not used means that the morphology of the tissue sections is often poor. Aims: To develop a mounting method that greatly improves the morphological quality of tissue sections for laser microbeam microdissection purposes so that the identification of target cells can be facilitated. Methods: Fresh frozen tissue and formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue specimens were used to test the morphological quality of mounted and unmounted tissue. The mounting solution consisted of an adhesive gum and blue ink diluted in water. Interference of the mounting solution with DNA quality was analysed by the polymerase chain reaction using 10–2000 cells isolated by microdissection from mounted and unmounted tissue. Results: The mounting solution greatly improved the morphology of tissue sections for laser microdissection purposes and had no detrimental effects on the isolation and efficiency of amplification of DNA. One disadvantage was that the mounting solution reduced the cutting efficiency of the ultraviolet laser. To minimise this effect, the mounting solution should be diluted as much as possible. Furthermore, the addition of blue ink to the mounting medium restores the cutting efficiency of the laser. Conclusions: The mounting solution is easy to prepare and apply and can be combined with various staining methods without compromising the quality of the DNA extracted.