Immunohistochemical staining on hydroxyethyl-methacrylate-embedded tissues.

Hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (GMA) embedding has recently been proposed for light microscopy studies. In the present investigation extracellular protein antigens were localized on GMA-embedded renal biopsy tissue. Conventionally frozen sections were compared with GMA sections from 55 renal specimens for the detection of extracellular protein antigens. Sections were directly stained with fluorescein- or peroxidase-conjugated antisera against immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM, C3, C1q, and fibrinogen. Results obtained using these two methods showed a 74-89% agreement, depending on the antigen under study. Some discrepancy between GMA and frozen sections was observed in three cases of renal amyloidosis and those cases presenting focal or trace reactions; the differences did not, however, influence the diagnosis. Prerequisites for antigen recovery on GMA sections were a) choice of fixative; b) abrupt dehydration of specimens; and c) treatment of sections with nonspecific protease. The improved localization and the lower background staining obtained led to easy and immediate detection of antigens on GMA sections despite the reduced antigenicity due to the embedding process.