Use of 1.4-nm immunogold particles for immunocytochemistry on ultra-thin cryosections

J Histochem Cytochem. 1994 Dec;42(12):1615-23. doi: 10.1177/42.12.7983362.

Abstract

We present a new application for the use of small immunogold particles (approximately 1.4-nm diameter) for ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. These small gold particles have been used on ultra-thin cryosections in conjunction with a silver enhancement procedure that does not degrade ultrastructural detail. We have used the human neutrophil as a model system, in which known protein markers of two different cytoplasmic granules were localized, in the development of this procedure. The 1.4-nm immunogold particles coupled with silver enhancement yield intense labeling for localization of lactoferrin, a marker for the specific granules, and myeloperoxidase, a marker for the azurophil granules. Double labeling in which one antigen was visualized with 1.4-nm gold and silver enhancement and a second antigen was detected with colloidal gold-IgG on the same ultra-thin cryosection was successfully achieved. We also show that 1.4-nm diameter immunogold particles penetrate into cryosectioned neutrophils to a greater extent than 5-nm or 10-nm immunogold probes. These results show that small immunogold particles, along with silver enhancement, are a useful addition to the immunolabeling methods available for use with ultra-thin cryosections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytoplasmic Granules / chemistry
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / enzymology
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gold Colloid
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Lactoferrin / analysis*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Neutrophils / chemistry*
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Neutrophils / ultrastructure
  • Peroxidase / analysis*
  • Silver Staining

Substances

  • Gold Colloid
  • Peroxidase
  • Lactoferrin