Abstract
Intranuclear birefringent inclusions (IBI) found in various cell types in paraffin-embedded tissue sections have long been considered to be a tissue processing artifact, although an association with biological processes has been suggested. We applied polychromatic polarization microscopy to image their spatial organization. Our study provides evidence that IBI are caused by liquid paraffin-macromolecular crystals formed during paraffin-embedding procedures within cells and potentially reflect an active transcriptional status.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
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Birefringence*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnostic imaging*
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
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Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnostic imaging*
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Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
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Crystallization
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Freezing
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Humans
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / metabolism*
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Kidney Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
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Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
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Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
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Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
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Microscopy, Polarization / methods
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Paraffin / chemistry*
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Paraffin Embedding / methods*
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Staining and Labeling
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Transcription Factors, TFII / metabolism
Substances
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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Transcription Factors, TFII
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transcription factor TFIIE
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Paraffin