Fluorescence Microscopic Methods in Histochemistry

Abstract

The majority of tissue components in unstained untreated sections show some degree of fluorescence. This is called primary fluorescence or autofluorescence. Such autofluorescence is particularly pronounced in plant tissues, while in animal tissue, collagen, elastin, and lipofuscin are noted for this property. Collagen and elastin (Sect.21.5) show a blue-green fluorescence, while lipofuscin (Sect 18.2.2) gives an orange fluorescence. The red autofluorescence of porphyrins (Sect 18.2.1) may be useful in diagnostic work (Sect.31.6.2). A number of drugs also fluoresce and it is therefore possible to follow their fate in tissues using fluorescence microscopy. Examples include tetracyclines (Sect. 15.9) and Acridines.