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The demonstration of B cells in pancreatic islets with Orcein

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Summary

Orcein stains granules in pancreatic islet cells selectively. The localization of Orcein-positive cells within islets differs from that of Grimelius-stained cells, but corresponds to the B cell type differentiated by Aldehyde Fuchsin.

Usually there appear to be fewer Orcein-positive cells than Aldehyde Fuchsin-positive ones. This indicates either that Aldehyde Fuchsin is a more sensitive stain for B cells or that Orcein is a more selective stain for a B cell type subpopulation. The rationale of the Orcein reaction in B cells seems to depend on the oxidation of disulphide bonds present in insulin and its precursors rich in cystine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorium voor Histochemie en Cytochemie, Department Medische Navorsing, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    F. Callea & V. J. Desmet

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  1. F. Callea
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  2. V. J. Desmet
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Callea, F., Desmet, V.J. The demonstration of B cells in pancreatic islets with Orcein. Histochem J 14, 545–552 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01011887

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01011887

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