Detection of Integrins in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded TissuesHelen Liapisa and Karen Huttonaa Department of Pathology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri Correspondence to: Helen Liapis, Lauren V. Ackerman Lab. of Surgical Pathology at Washington U., Barnes Hospital, One Barnes Hospital Plaza, Suite 300B, Peters Bldg., St Louis, MO 63110. Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane receptors, which are expressed in many cells. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that integrins may be important in tumor progression and organ development. The functions of integrins were previously studied in cell cultures and their tissue expression was detected by immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase in frozen sections. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for detection of integrins in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. We utilized microwave heating and enzyme digestion in routinely processed, surgically removed tissues. Our results demonstrate that integrins can be reliably detected in archival material. This approach will facilitate further investigation of the role played by integrins in human malignancies and in developmental processes. (J Histochem Cytochem 45:737-741, 1997) Key Words: integrins, immunohistochemistry, formalin fixation
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