Glycosaminoglycans in Histologic Sections

Abstract

To the Editor.— Visualization of skin glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in histologic sections is often difficult because of their high solubility in water. Fixation in an appropriate medium is therefore critical for the evaluation of dermal GAGs, which normally constitute less than 1% of dry dermis weight. This important point was recently emphasized in theArchivesin a report of a 3-month-old infant with sclerdema.1Heilbron and Saxe noted that fixation of skin specimens in 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) solution markedly enhances GAG visualization. We have specifically addressed the effect of fixation on GAG histologic expression. Using visual grading of histologic sections from a variety of acquired cutaneous mucinoses,2we compared fixation with 1% CPC solution in formalin to formalin alone.3Like Heilbron and Saxe, we also found that addition of CPC affords much better contrast by decreasing GAG leakage into the fixative. We further noted that the colloidal