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Simultaneous observation of collagen and elastin in normal and pathological tissues: analysis of Sirius-red-stained sections by fluorescence microscopy

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Abstract

In order to observe collagen and elastic fibers simultaneously, sections of human aorta, skin, lung, liver, and bladder were stained by Sirius red and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. In all cases, the fibers of collagen presented the characteristic fluorescent red-orange color that results from the interaction of this extracellular protein with the dye, whereas elastic fibers showed strong green fluorescence (intrinsic fluorescence). This method efficiently detects collagen and elastic fibers when these two structures are present and could have valuable applications in processes that involves both fibers.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Adriana Psota, Solange Aparecida Consorti, and Joana P. Araújo for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Pathology, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Av. Dr. Enéas C. Aguiar 44, 05403-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    L. F. Borges & P. S. Gutierrez

  2. Department of Biology, UNESP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil

    S. R. Taboga

Authors
  1. L. F. Borges
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  2. S. R. Taboga
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  3. P. S. Gutierrez
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. S. Gutierrez.

Additional information

L.F.B. received a doctoral fellowship from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil.

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Borges, L.F., Taboga, S.R. & Gutierrez, P.S. Simultaneous observation of collagen and elastin in normal and pathological tissues: analysis of Sirius-red-stained sections by fluorescence microscopy. Cell Tissue Res 320, 551–552 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-005-1108-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-005-1108-6

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