Skip to main content
Log in

Comparative investigation of the mixed aggregation immunocytochemical technique and the indirect peroxidase technique for the detection of prostate specific acid phosphatase in paraffin or paraplast sections

  • Published:
Histochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The results obtained with the indirect peroxidase technique for the identification of prostate specific acid phosphatase in formalin fixed, paraffin or paraplast embedded autopsy material are compared with the results obtained with the mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical technique. When using a monospecific antiserum the former technique is prefered. However, when a monospecific antiserum is not available, one has to balance the advantages of the mixed aggregation immuno-cytochemical technique against the disadvantages of having to prepare a monospecific antiserum, necessary for the indirect peroxidase technique. Both methods appeared positive in 20 prostatic carcinomas and in 36 metastases of prostatic carcinomas. In the epithelium of the seminal vesicles and in osteoclasts no acid phosphatase could be detected with the antiserum. A comparison of both techniques, as well as different types of preincubation to diminish nonspecific background staining are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abul-Fadl, M.A.M., King, E.J.: Inhibition of acid phosphatase by formaldehyde and its clinical application for determination of serum acid phosphatases. J. Clin. Pathol. 1, 80–84 (1948)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barka, T.: A simple azo-dye method for histochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase. Nature 187, 248–249 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, I., Hambridge, M., Taylor, C.R.: Intracellular immunoglobulins. A comparative study on three standard tissue processing methods using horseradish peroxidase and fluorochrome conjugates. J. Clin. Pathol. 27, 548–557 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Burstone, M.S.: Enzyme histochemistry. New York and London: Academic Press 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomori, G.: Microscopic histochemistry. Chicago University Press 1952

  • Helms, S.R., Brattain, M.G., Pretlow II, T.G., Kreisberg, J.I.: “Prostatic acid phosphatase?” Am. J. Pathol. 88, 529–538 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S., Minassian, H., More, J.D.: Application of immunofluorescent staining on paraffin sections improved by trypsin digestion. Lab. Invest. 35, 383–390 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöbsis, A.C., de Vries, G.P., Anholt, R.R.H., Sanders, G.T.B.: Demonstration of the prostatic origin of metastases. Cancer 41, 1788–1793 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, C.Y., Yam, L.T., Lam, K.W.: Studies of acid phosphatase isoenzymes in human leukocytes demonstration of isoenzyme cell specificity. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 18, 901–910 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mostofi, F.K., Price, E.B.: Tumors of the male genital system, Sec. Series, fasc. 8, pp. 196–261. Washington: A.F.I.P., 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, B.D., Serrano, J.A., Sternberger, N.J., Wasserkrug, H.L., Serrano, A.A., Seligman, A.M.: A new specific cytochemical substrate for prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). J. Histochem. Cytochem. 24, 617–618 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A.G.E.: Histochemistry, theoretical and applied, 3rd ed. Vol. 1, pp. 547–550. London: Churchill 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, B.H., Mulhern, H.L., McDonald, D.F.: Acid phosphorylcholine phosphatase of sebaceous glands and osteoclasts. J.Histochem. Cytochem. 25, 309–310 (1977a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schofield, B.H., McDonald, D.F.: Describing enzymatic hydrolysis of phosphorylcholine and d-ephedrine-o-phosphate. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 25, 1279–1280 (1977b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Serrano, J.A., Shannon Jr., W.A., Sterberger, N.J., Wasserkrug, H.L., Serrano, A.A., Seligman, A.M.: The cytochemical demonstration of prostatic acid phosphatase using a new substrate, phosphorylcholine. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 24, 1046–1056 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Streefkerk, J.G.: Inhibition of erythrocyte pseudoperoxidase activity by treatment with hydrogen peroxide following methanol. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 20, 829–831 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Vries, G.P., Slob, A.W., Jöbsis, A.C., Meijer, A.E.F.H., Sanders, G.T.B.: Prostate specific acid phosphatase: purification and specific antibody production in rabbits. Am. J. Clin. Pathol. (in press)

  • Wachsmuth, E.D.: An immuno-histochemical method for localisation of enzymes in tissue sections: the use of antibody bound to tissue antigen and its property of binding crossreactive soluble antigen. Histochemie 37, 251–263 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zehr, D.R.: Use of hydrogen peroxide-egg albumin to eliminate nonspecific staining in immunoperoxidase techniques. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 26, 415–416 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zugibe, F.T.: Diagnostic Histochemistry, p. 172. St. Louis: C.V. Mosby 1970

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stegehuis, F., de Vries, G.P., Jöbsis, A.C. et al. Comparative investigation of the mixed aggregation immunocytochemical technique and the indirect peroxidase technique for the detection of prostate specific acid phosphatase in paraffin or paraplast sections. Histochemistry 62, 45–54 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00537005

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00537005

Keywords

Navigation