Freeze substitution followed by low melting point wax embedding preserves histomorphology and allows protein and mRNA localization techniques

Abstract

Fixation and embedding are major steps in tissue preservation for histological analysis. However, conventional fixatives like aldehyde-based solutions usually mask tissular epitopes preventing their immunolocalization. Alternative fixation methods used to avoid this drawback, such as cryopreservation, alcohol- or zinc salts-based fixatives do not efficiently preserve tissue and cell morphology. Likewise, paraffin and resin embedding, commonly used for thin sectioning, frequently damage epitopes due to the clearing agents and high temperatures needed along the embedding procedure. Alternatives like cryosectioning avoid the embedding steps but yield sections of poorer quality and are not suitable for all kinds of samples. To overcome these handicaps, we have developed a method that preserves histoarchitecture as well as tissue antigenic properties. This method, which we have named CryoWax, involves freeze substitution of the samples in isopentane and methanol, followed by embedding in low melting point polyester wax. CryoWax has proven efficient in obtaining thin sections of embryos and adult tissues from different species, including amphioxus, zebrafish, and mouse. CryoWax sections displayed optimal preservation of tissue morphology and were successfully immunostained for fixation- and temperature-sensitive antigens. Furthermore, CryoWax has been tested for in situ hybridization application, obtaining positive results.