Microwave-Assisted Tissue Preparation for Rapid Fixation, Decalcification, Antigen Retrieval, Cryosectioning, and Immunostaining

Figure 1

Comparison between conventional fixation (a and b) and microwave irradiation (c and d) of guinea pig aortic endothelial cells in whole-mount preparations. Conventionally fixed specimens showed shrinkage in the smooth muscle cell layer. Asterisks in (a) and (b) indicate gutters caused by shrinkage of the smooth muscle cell layer. Fixation with microwave irradiation showed well-preserved and flattened morphology of the endothelium (c and d). Samples were stained with both anti-phosphotyrosine antibody to reveal tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins (b and d) and rhodamine-labeled phalloidin for F-actin staining (a and c). Samples were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and focus was adjusted at the endothelial cell layer. Bar = 10 μm. See also [42].

(a)

(b)

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