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Demasking: desmin

This example illustrates the importance of efficient demasking and appropriate controls. The figures to the left represent desmin staining (clone DE-R-11) submitted to NordiQC for assessment in Run 5. The epitope was retrieved by proteolytic pre-treatment. The staining was assessed as poor. According to the advice of NordiQC, the laboratory changed their protocol on one point: the epitope retrieval was carried out by HIER. The figures to the right represent the stainings obtained after this protocol change.
Fig. 1A. Normal colon stained for desmin, using proteolysis as the epitope retrieval method. Note that while the lamina muscularis mucosa is properly stained, the vessels remain unstained (arrow). Fig. 1B. Normal colon (same field as in Fig. 1A) stained for desmin, using HIER as the epitope retrieval method. Note that the vessels are now stained (arrow).
Fig. 2A. Leiomyoma stained for desmin using proteolysis as the epitope retrieval method. The tumour is practically unstained. Fig. 2B. Leiomyoma (same field as in Fig. 2A) stained for desmin using HIER as the epitope retrieval method. The tumour is strongly stained.
MV/SN/AS

Last update 21-09-2005