Question

Question (1) Which of the following histology stains is/are used to highlight collagen in tissue sections?

1. Alcian Blue
2. Millers elastin
3. Massons trichrome
4. Haematoxylin
5. Trypan blue

Answer 1

A. Alcian blue is used to demonstrate acid mucins which can be secreted by various connective and epithelial tissue tumors. It stains the collagen red.

B. Millers elastin - The three dyes Victoria blue 4R, new fuchsin, and crystal violet are in the same group of aminotriarylmethanes dyes. The resorcin-fuchsin mechanism is thought to be by hydrogen bonding of the dye complex to the elastin fibrils. The ferric ion present is known to form black dye lakes with the aminotriarylmethanes dye.

elastic fibres, Mast cell granules - jet black

          collagen - .red

          muscle, cytoplasm, fibrin - yellow

          nuclei - brownish green

          erythrocytes - yellow

C. Masson's trichrome is a three-colour staining protocol used in histology. The collagen fibers will be stained blue and the nuclei will be stained black and the background is stained red.

D. Hematoxylin has a deep blue-purple color and stains nucleic acids. Generally used with Eosin.Collagen cannot be stained with this dye.

E. Trypan blue is used for staining connective tissues, such as collagen, muscle, and cornified epithelium.