LR White Resin Research Articles

Immunolocalization of an endogenous antigenic material of Rhinosporidium seeberi expressed only during mature sporangial development.

We investigated the immunolocalization of Rhinosporidium seeberi's antigens using sera from individuals infected with R. seeberi and tissue from Sri Lankan patients with rhinosporidiosis. The tissues were fixed in LR white resin, thin sectioned fixed onto nickel grids and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy for the presence of R. seeberi's sporangia. The tissue samples were reacted with the patients's sera and then labeled with protein A colloidal gold (PACG) for immunolocalization. It was found that the PACG had fixed to antibodies that specifically recognized an internal electron lucent layer situated immediately under the mature sporangium's wall. Strikingly, the endospores, the juvenile and intermediate sporangia did not undergo PACG labeling. This study found that the expression of this antigen occurs only in the final developmental stages of R. seeberi's mature sporangia. Our data may explain why circulating antibodies to R. Seeberi were not detected before in studies that used endospores as antigen in immunoassays. This is the first report in which an antigenic material with a potential role in the immunology of rhinosporidiosis has been detected.

Fixative-Dependent Increase in Immunogold Labeling following Antigen Retrieval on Acrylic and Epoxy Sections

We examined the increase in immunogold labeling of variably fixed, resin embedded tissue sections following antigen retrieval by heating in citrate solution. Fibrin clots and porcine renal tissue were fixed in glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde or ethanol, and specimens were embedded in LR-White or epoxy resin. Immunogold labeling was performed on ultra-thin sections with anti-fibrinogen for the fibrin clots and anti-IgG for the porcine renal tissue. Immunogold labeling increased greatly after heating epoxy sections regardless of the fixative used. The ratio labelingretrieved/labelingnonretrieved (Lr/Ln) was 2.8 or higher, and the largest increases were obtained for anti-IgG. Heating induced a large increase of immunolabeling for LR-White sections only when the specimens had been fixed in paraformaldehyde (Lr/Ln = 2.2 for anti-IgG and 1.4 for antifibrinogen). LR-White sections showed decreased, insignificant or weakly increased immunolabeling of ethanol or glutaraldehyde fixed tissues following antigen retrieval. Disruption of aldehyde cross-links is not the only mechanism for antigen retrieval when epoxy sections are heated in citrate solution since large increases in immunolabeling were obtained on ethanol fixed tissue. The large heat-induced increases in immunolabeling on epoxy sections are probably caused by the disruption of chemical bonds between the epoxy resin and side groups of proteins.

Comparison of the Immunogold Labeling of Single Light Chains and Whole Immunoglobulins with Anti-κ on LR-White and Epoxy Sections

The purpose of this study was to examine the intensity of the immunogold labeling of kappa light chains as single molecules and as parts of whole immunoglobulin molecules in LR-White sections and epoxy sections both practically and theoretically. Human renal tissues including deposits of kappa light chains and immune complex deposits of IgA were embedded in both LR-White resin and epoxy resin. Immunogold labeling was performed on unetched thin sections of both resins with anti-κ or anti-IgA. In all relevant cases the immunolabeling was intense on the LR-White sections. Single kappa light chains were intensely labeled also on the epoxy sections, although not as intensely as on LR-White sections. In contrast, the immunogold labeling of whole immunoglobulins with anti-κ and anti-IgA was weak and hardly positive on the epoxy sections. Consequently, the quotient labeling lr-white/labeling epoxy for anti-κ was significantly lower for labeling of single light chains (3.6) than for labeling of whole immunoglobulins (15.9). The corresponding quotient for labeling of whole immunoglobulins with anti-IgA was 17.0. Supported by theoretical considerations, it is believed that the copolymerization between the epoxy resin and the antigens allows the knife to cleave the large whole immunoglobulins more easily than the smaller single kappa chains. This prevents satisfactory immunolabeling of whole immunoglobulins on epoxy sections whether anti-κ or anti-IgA is used as antibodies, while single kappa chains are easily immunolabeled.

Imaging Degraded Wood by Confocal Microscopy

Abstract The application of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in the studies of biological materials is rapidly expanding because of the opportunity to produce sharp, high resolution images through optical sectioning and computer assisted 3-D reconstruction. At our institute CLSM is being used in a wide range of forestry and wood science studies. Recently we investigated the potential usefulness of CLSM in characterizing biologically degraded wood. The following are images produced from an archaeological wood which has been buried in a wet environment (rice field) for nearly 2,000 years in South Korea and is apparently degraded by bacteria. In an attempt to develop suitable techniques which can be used for routine examination of fragile degraded wood with CLSM, we have compared two different embedding methods for their suitability in preserving the integrity of cells. The embedding media are paraffin wax and LR White resin.

Ultrastructural Localization of Hair Keratins in Human Scalp Hair Shafts as Revealed by Rapid-Freezing Immunocytochemistry.

Although many hair proteins have been investigated biochemically, little information is available on their subcellular distribution in human hair. We report here on the immunoelectron microscopic technique for defining the ultrastructural localization of hair proteins, especially hair keratins, in human scalp hair shafts: a combination of a rapid-freezing, freeze-substitution fixation without chemical fixatives, and subsequent immunocytochemistry (i. e., rapid-freezing immunocytochemistry). The hair shafts were rapid-frozen, freeze-substituted in acetone without chemical fixatives, and then embedded in LR White resin. Subsequently, ultrathin-sectioned samples were stained for hair keratins by an immunogold technique. Rapid-freezing followed by freeze-substitution without chemical fixatives well-preserved not only the fine structure of the hair shafts but also the antigenicity of hair keratins for immunocytochemistry. In the cortex, hair keratins were present mainly on the macrofibrils. In the cuticle, they were also located primarily in the endocuticle, which did not show the fibrous structure like the macrofibrils did. Rapid-freezing immunocytochemistry appears to be the most viable approach for revealing the macromolecular architecture of human hair, which is a completely keratinized tissue and one of the most delicate tissues in preparation for transmission electron microscopy.

Improved cytochemical methods for demonstrating cell death using LR White as an embedding medium.

A series of techniques based on LR White resin are described, which permit the use of an anti-histone antibody for the in situ localization of DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis at both the light and the electron microscope level. The methods, applied to an untreated squamous carcinoma of the pharynx, allow direct comparison of light microscopic localization of exposed nucleosomal histones using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and silver-enhanced techniques with a colloidal gold-based anti-histone technique at the electron microscope level. Parallel histochemical localization of acid phosphatase activity is also presented.

An improved ultrastructural double-staining method for rat growth hormone and its mRNA using LR White resin: a technical note.

An improved new method for the simultaneous visualization of mRNA and encoded protein in LR White resin-embedded specimens is described. This pre-embedding electron microscopical in situ hybridization (procedure) localized rat growth hormone mRNA specifically as high electron-density products on the polysomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. A subsequent post-embedding immunoreaction, using protein A colloidal gold particles, identified growth hormone as gold particles both in the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and on the secretory granules. In our previous report, we used Epon resin for tissue embedment, which required an etching process using hydrogen peroxide or sodium periodate for immunoreactivity retrieval. In general, osmification and embedment in Epon resin are reported to decrease the immunoreactivity of the targeted protein, and the etching process using hydrogen peroxide or sodium periodate results in deosmification and shades off the signals of mRNA. To resolve these problems, we have recently used LR White resin for tissue embedment. In LR White resin-embedded tissues, retrieval of immunoreactivity using hydrogen peroxide or sodium periodate is not required, and, therefore, the gradation of the signals of mRNA can be avoided.

Visualization of mycorrhizal fungal structures in resin embedded tissues with xanthene dyes using laser scanning confocal microscopy

The xanthene dyes sulforhordamine G, phloxine B, rose Bengal, and 4,5,6,7-tetrachloroflorescein were used as fluorochromes for laser scanning confocal microscopy of LR-White resin-embedded mycorrhizae. Sulforhodamine G was the most effective dye, giving an even staining of cell components throughout the material, with minimal background fluorescence of LR-White resin. Confocal microscopy of stained blocks of tissue on a slide, viewed without the use of a coverslip, revealed the three-dimensional nature of various mycorrhizal structures; these structures included arbuscules, vesicles, and coiled hyphae in arbuscular mycorrhizae; coiled hyphae in orchid mycorrhizae; mantle and Hartig net hyphae in ectomycorrhizae; and intracellular hyphae in arbutoid mycorrhizae. Sections mounted on slides viewed with confocal microscopy provided exceptional clarity of fungal form and cytoplasmic contents and showed the relationship to the plant cells, also with negligible background fluorescence. Mounting and staining blocks of resin-embedded material provided a fast and effective technique for the visualization of a variety of plant and fungal tissues. Stain penetration in whole-mounted samples was sufficient to reconstruct clear three-dimensional images using confocal microscopy.Key words: mycorrhizae, xanthene dyes, confocal microscopy, resin embedding.

Three Quick Hints for Working with LR White Resin

Three Quick Hints for Working with LR White Resin

Clustering of GPI-anchored folate receptor independent of both cross-linking and association with caveolin.

The distribution of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored folate receptor (FR) in a diffuse pattern vs. functional clusters associated with caveolae has been debated. The equivocal nature of direct localization studies is due to possible experimental artifacts such as cross-linking of the protein by the antibody probes prior to fixation and alternatively the use of a disruptive fixation method. Such studies have also been complicated by the use of cells that vastly overexpress FR. In this study a monovalent probe, i.e., a biotinylated folate affinity analogue was used to covalently label FR. Cells expressing moderate levels of FR, i.e., JAR epithelial cells expressing FR-alpha and recombinant CHO fibroblasts expressing FR-beta, were used. The affinity label and either caveolin or antigenic sites on FR were localized by electron microscopy using colloidal gold conjugated antibody probes post-embedding in the relatively permeable LR White resin. The method avoided both receptor cross-linking and early fixation steps and also enabled the use of transport permissive conditions while labeling FR at the cell surface. The results indicate that in steady-state FR is not significantly colocalized with caveolin. However, the receptor molecules occur predominantly in clusters, independent of cross-linking, providing a physical basis for the observed kinetics of receptor internalization and recycling during folate transport. Evidence is also presented to suggest that early mild fixation will disrupt the clustering of FR.

Pre-osteoblastic proliferation assessed with BrdU in undecalcified, Epon-embedded adult rat trabecular bone.

We evaluated bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry in undecalcified adult rat tibiae to study cell kinetics in various bone compartments: primary and secondary spongiosae, periosteum, and bone marrow. Several regimens of BrdU administration were tested (i.p. injections and osmotic minipumps). We compared LR White resin, methylmethacrylate, and Epon-araldite embedding, microwave irradiation for antigen retrieval, several concentrations of sodium ethoxide for deplastification, and various DNA denaturation procedures. Paraffin-embedded decalcified tibiae and Epon-embedded bowel were used as positive controls. The best results were obtained in rats labeled with 40 mg of BrdU for 72 hr using osmotic minipumps. The procedure using a Microprobe system in Eponembedded bone tissue with a sodium ethoxide concentration of 50% for two intervals of 20 min provided the best staining quality and tissue preservation. Labeled pre-osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells could be counted. Epon embedding allowed preservation of tetracycline double labeling performed 1 to 5 days before sacrifice. The number of labeled pre-osteoblastic cells was correlated with the double-labeled surface area measured histomorphometrically.

Epidermal Keratinocyte Differentiation is Disrupted in Mice Lacking The Full Length Extracellular Calcium-Sensing Receptor

The importance of the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in the stringent control of extracellular Ca2+ concentration is well established. However, the presence of CaR in tissues not directly involved in regulating mineral ion homeostasis suggests a role for CaR in local regulation of cellular functions. Although extracellular Ca2+ regulates the differentiation of keratinocytes, the role of CaR in the epidermis is not established. In this work using knockout mice lacking full length CaR, we sought to determine the role of CaR in epidermal differentiation.Dorsal skin of Casr−/− knockout mice lacking full length CaR, and Casr+/+ (wild type) control mice, aged 4 to 7 days after birth was fixed in 4% formaldehyde in PBS, and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 2% formaldehyde in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer. The samples were embedded in paraffin (for immunohistochemistry and for in situ hybridization) or in Spurr’s or LR White resins. Digoxigenin labeled antisense and sense RNA probes for loricrin and filaggrin were used for in situ hybridization.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a reagent against non-specific immunogold labeling on LR-White and epoxy resin

The purpose of this study was to examine how different incubation times with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) affect the amount of non-specific immunogold labeling on epoxy sections and LR-White sections. Immunogold labeling was performed on epoxy sections and LR-White sections of renal tissue with IgG-deposits and fibrin clots, and the antibodies used were anti-IgG and anti-fibrinogen, respectively. The sections were incubated with different concentrations of BSA prior to application of primary antibodies, and the length of this pre-incubation step varied between 0 and 4 h. During the incubation with primary antibodies, BSA was added in the same concentration as in the pre-incubation step. The results showed that the non-specific labeling on the resin decreased significantly when the concentration of BSA or the length of the preincubation step was increased. The non-specific labeling was usually higher on the epoxy resin than on the LR-White resin when using the same conditions with respect to BSA. But, when the preincubation step with BSA lasted 4 h, the non-specific labeling was somewhat lower on epoxy resin than on the acrylic LR-White resin, without respect to the concentration of BSA. The specific labeling for both fibrinogen and IgG decreased slightly when the concentration of BSA and incubation time increased, probably due to the steric hindrance performed by BSA molecules on the section. Blocking procedures with at least 1 h incubation time for the blocking step with at least 5% BSA are recommended for both epoxy and LR-White sections.

Immunolocalization and in Vitro Cryoprotective Activity of PCA60: A Peach Dehydrin

Cold acclimation in temperate, woody plants is a complex phenomenon that involves distinct changes in gene activity and protein synthesis. In previous research, a 60-kDa protein (PCA60), belonging to the dehydrin family of stress-related proteins, was identified in peach bark, and its corresponding gene (ppdhn1) was cloned and characterized. Presently, we report on the results of immunolocalization studies and in vitro cryoprotection assays. Seasonal collections of current-year stems were embedded in LR White or epoxy resin and sections of bark were probed with either a polyclonal antibody directed against a 15 amino acid sequence consensus region of dehydrins or a polyclonal antibody directed against partially-purified PCA60. In vitro cryoprotection assays utilized lactose dehydrogenase (LDH), a cold-labile enzyme. Immunolocalization at the light level indicated that the dehydrin was confined to the cytoplasm and absent in organelles. This localization was preliminarily confirmed at the ultrastructural level. LDH assays indicated cryoprotective activity in total protein extracts collected from winter bark tissues but completely absent in extracts of summer bark tissues. Preliminary LDH assays utilizing purified PCA60 also demonstrated cryoprotective activity. In general, the data further support a role for dehydrins in cold acclimation of woody plants.

VISUALIZATION OF GOLGI APPARATUS IN METHACRYLATE EMBEDDED CONIFER EMBRYO TISSUE USING THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY JIM 84

Methacrylate embedding followed by resin removal has been used for the first time to visualize a membrane-associated antigen at the tissue level. Monoclonal antibody JIM 84 was used to stain the Golgi apparatus of gymnosperm (conifer) embryos by light microscope immunocytochemistry. Specificity of labelling was confirmed by electron microscope immunocytochemistry using LR-white resin. GA staining was evident in all stages of white spruce somatic embryo development from immature to mature. Some regions of the somatic embryos (e.g. root cap/suspensor region) stained more vigorously than other regions (hypocotyl/cotyledon end). GA also stained in roots of Monterey pine and Douglas fir. Unlike the situation in most angiosperms, JIM 84 antigen appears to be absent from the conifer plasma membrane. However, it appears to be present in representatives of both major classes of higher plants.

Ultrastructural immunolocalization of polyamines in HeLa cells subjected to fast-freezing fixation and freeze substitution.

Polyamines have been localized at the ultrastructural level in HeLa cells subjected first to fast-freezing fixation (FFF)-freeze substitution (FS) and then to an immunocytochemical method combining anti-polyamine antibodies and immunogold labelling. Polyamines were found in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus and, in the latter, particularly over the dense chromatin area. To our knowledge, this is the first example of the electron microscopic localization of a hapten after FFF-FS. For the preservation of fine ultrastructural details, this FFF-FS method is not only adequate but also greatly reduces, if not totally eliminates, any leeching-out and redistribution of the polyamines during the preparation of the sample. For the preservation of antigenicity in situ during FS, epoxy resin was more effective than hydrophilic LR white resin, probably due to the solubility of polyamines in the latter.

Submitochondrial Distribution of Three Key Steroidogenic Proteins (Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein and Cytochrome P450scc and 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Isomerase Enzymes) upon Stimulation by Intracellular Calcium in Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

In adrenal glomerulosa cells, angiotensin II (Ang II) and potassium stimulate aldosterone synthesis through activation of the calcium messenger system. The rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis is the transfer of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane. This transfer is believed to depend upon the presence of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. The aim of this study was 1) to examine the effect of changes in cytosolic free calcium concentration and of Ang II on intramitochondrial cholesterol and 2) to study the distribution of StAR protein in submitochondrial fractions during activation by Ca2+ and Ang II. To this end, freshly prepared bovine zona glomerulosa cells were submitted to a high cytosolic Ca2+ clamp (600 nM) or stimulated with Ang II (10 nM) for 2 h. Mitochondria were isolated and subfractionated into outer membranes, inner membranes (IM), and contact sites (CS). Stimulation of intact cells with Ca2+ or Ang II led to a marked, cycloheximide-sensitive increase in cholesterol in CS (to 143 +/- 3. 2 and 151.1 +/- 18.1% of controls, respectively) and in IM (to 119 +/- 5.1 and 124.5 +/- 6.5% of controls, respectively). Western blot analysis revealed a cycloheximide-sensitive increase in StAR protein in mitochondrial extracts of Ca2+-clamped glomerulosa cells (to 159 +/- 23% of controls). In submitochondrial fractions, there was a selective accumulation of StAR protein in IM following stimulation with Ca2+ (228 +/- 50%). Similarly, Ang II increased StAR protein in IM, and this effect was prevented by cycloheximide. In contrast, neither Ca2+ nor Ang II had any effect on the submitochondrial distribution of cytochrome P450scc and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase. The intramitochondrial presence of the latter enzyme was further confirmed by immunogold staining in rat adrenal fasciculata cells and by immunoblot analysis in MA-10 mouse testicular Leydig cells. These findings demonstrate that under acute stimulation with Ca2+-mobilizing agents, newly synthesized StAR protein accumulates in IM after transiting through CS. Moreover, our results suggest that the import of StAR protein into IM may be associated with cholesterol transfer, thus promoting precursor supply to the two first enzymes of the steroidogenic cascade within the mitochondria and thereby activating mineralocorticoid synthesis.

Imaging the internal cellular structure of merino wool fibres using atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the cellular structure of Merino wool fibres. Fibres were embedded in LR White resin and sectioned with an ultramicrotome using a diamond knife. Both thin sections and the block, from which the sections were cut, were imaged. The technique yielded sufficiently flat surfaces, enabling details of the cellular components within the wool fibre (ortho- and paracortical cells, cell membrane complex, macrofibrils and nuclear remnants) to be readily discerned by AFM. Some images show the cell membrane complex to be below the surface of the cortical cells, whereas in other images, the cell membrane complex was above the level of the cortical cells.

Improved Procedure for Immunogold Electron Microscopy: Rapid-Freeze Substitution with Absolute Acetone.

We investigated the best fixation methods for the immunogold electron microscopy. Rapidfreeze substitution is better than conventional chemical fixation for preservation of structural integrity of cell nucleus, mitochondrion and plastid. When samples were embedded in LR White resin, fixation in absolute acetone gave a 2.6-fold increase in immuno-labelling of DNA compared to fixation with 1% glutaraldehyde in acetone. In contrast, no gold particles were identified when cells were fixed by 1% OsO4 and embedded in Spurr's resin. These results indicate that the rapidfreeze substitution in absolute acetone and embedding in LR White resin is the optimal approach for immunogold labelling.

How to Examine the Antigen-damaging Effect of Sodium Ethoxide on Deplasticized Epoxy Sections

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a method that could be used to estimate how damaging sodium ethoxide is to different antigens with respect to immunolabeling when epoxy sections are deplasticized. If we obtain weak labeling for an antigen on deplasticized epoxy sections, this might be caused by the damaging effect of the ethoxide solution. It is therefore interesting to develop a method to check if this really is the reason. Fibrin clots and tissues of human kidney and thyroid were embedded in LR White resin. Some thin sections from these specimen blocks were exposed to sodium ethoxide in the same way as epoxy sections are when being deplasticized. Other sections from the same blocks were not exposed to sodium ethoxide. Both categories of sections were immunogold-labeled with anti-fibrinogen, anti-thyroglobulin, anti-IgA, anti-IgG, or anti-IgM. The intensity of immunolabeling of sections treated with ethoxide was compared with the immunolabeling of corresponding sections that were not treated with ethoxide. No significant differences were found in immunolabeling for fibrinogen, IgA, IgG, and IgM. For thyroglobulin, the intensity was approximately 30% less in tissues that were exposed to sodium ethoxide. The practical significance of this method is that we easily can examine the degree to which a given antigen is affected by sodium ethoxide, which is the agent used for deplasticizing epoxy sections.