Mast Cell Stain for Histamine in Freeze-Dried Embedded Tissue

Abstract

A new method is described which permits staining of the histamine in mast cells of embedded tissue. Small specimens of fresh tissue, rapidly frozen in isopentane-liquid nitrogen, are dried in vacuo at-35#{176}C, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with o-phthalaldehyde in ethyl benzene. Mast cell histamine appears bright yellow as viewed under fluorescence microscopy. The procedure is standardized, suitable for a wide variety of tissues and remarkably free of diffusion artifacts. The uncut blocks may be stored for months with no changes in later histamine-staining potential. Alternatively, embedding

The Relationship between Mast Cells and Histamine in Phylogeny with Special Reference to Reptiles and Birds

“…The histochemical study for histamine was conducted with the o-phthalaldehyde method (JUHLIN and SHELLEY, 1967;SHELLEY, OHMAN and PARNES, 1968). A modification was applied in this study to the original test.…”

The Staining of Mast Cells: A Historical Overview

“…Histamine can be detected histochemically by means of a fluorescent reaction with o-phthalaldeyde [43,44].…”

Mast Cells in the Central Nervous System of Immunized NC-strain Mice

“…Sections were exposed to ortho-phthalaldehyde gas according to the methods of Shelley et al (1968) and Brody et al (1972), and mounted in xylene.…”