Renal hyalin

Abstract

SYNOPSIS This describes the sodium sulphate-Alcian Blue (SAB) method for staining amyloid in paraffin sections. Its value lies in the possibility of subsequent counterstaining and thus of revealing the structural relationships of amyloid.In the kidney the topical disposition of amyloid closely resembles the disposition of fibrin in the kidney of diabetics; this suggests that upset in vascular permeability plays a part in determining the site of the amyloid deposits. Furthermore, an aging process in amyloid can now be envisaged resembling the aging of extraluminal fibrin. Both materials proceed to a hyalin material that, staining like collagen, merits the name pseudo-collagen. This term we apply to a hyalin, staining like collagen, for which,we can postulate a specific precursor.The I ight microscopist has generally accepted amyloid as a hyalin substance, an acellular firm gel, situated interstitially, and distinguished from other hyalins by particular staining reactions, notably the metachromatic reaction with methyl violet and an affinity for Congo red. Neither of these methods is ideal for the study of the structural relationships of amyloid.Our attempts to demonstrate and study amyloid, as seen in postmortem material, were progressing unprofitably when suddenly one divagation revealed possibilities. A rationally evolved although perhaps inaccurate idea led one of us (W.S.) to produce a modified Alcian Blue solution. This enabled us to stain amyloid, in sections from paraffin, with a dye that could be stabilized in situ and thus allow a variety of counterstainings. Although, as with most other dye-staining methods, the results were not chemically specific for amyloid, with suitable counterstaining they proved sufficiently selective to allow study of the precise situation of the amyloid deposits. Unfortunately the dye makers, in 1955, changed the constitution of the dye, and our results altered miserably.

Spicular arrangement of amyloid in renal biopsy

“…The uptake of stains often regarded as specific amyloid by postmature and pseudo-collagen (Lendrum, 1969;Lendrum, et al, 1972) is not frequently a problem in renal biopsy work as material is usually obtained early in the natural history of the disease before significant sclerosis of glomeruli would be expected to have occurred. Staining of adjacent sections with thioflavine T will give further help in the identification of amyloid (Klatskin, 1969).…”

“…The cases reported here demonstrate that the appearance of spikes is not, as hitherto thought, diagnostic of membranous nephropathy and emphasizes the importance of staining all renal biopsies for amyloid. The specific demonstration of amyloid remains a matter of debate since many techniques stain substances other than amyloid and the staining properties of amyloid itself change with increasing age (Lendrum, Slidders, and Fraser, 1972). Many writers consider that yellow-green dichroism of Siriusor Congo-red-stained sections viewed between cross polars is specific for amyloid (Cooper, 1969;Cohen, Calkins, and Levene, 1959) although Klatskin (1969) found similar fluorescence in many normal tissues.…”

Sex-specific biochemical and histological differences in gonads of sea urchins (Psammechinus miliaris) and their response to phenanthrene exposure

“…The Alcian Blue-PAS technique was used instead of the conventional hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, since it was previously shown to function optimally for gonadal tissues (Schäfer and Köhler, 2009). Briefly, sections are stained with Alcian Blue according to Lendrum et al (1972). Sections are placed overnight in aldehyde blocking solution (2% sodium chlorite in 6% acetic acid) and stained with PAS (periodic acid Schiff's reagent) as described by Schäfer and Köhler (2009).…”

Gonadal lesions of female sea urchin (Psammechinus miliaris) after exposure to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene

“…For the Alcian Blue/PAS staining procedure sections were first stained with Alcian Blue according to Lendrum et al (1972). Then the slides were placed overnight in aldehyde blocking solution (2% sodium chlorite in 6% acetic acid).…”