ARS | Publication request: PrPSc detection in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue by ELISA

Submitted to: BMC Research Notes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 17, 2011
Publication Date: October 21, 2011
Citation: Nicholson, E.M., Greenlee, J.J., Hamir, A.N. 2011. PrPSc detection in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue by ELISA. BMC Research Notes. 4(1):432.

Interpretive Summary: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue are regularly employed in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) diagnosis by Immunohistochemistry (IHC), the standard by which all other TSE diagnostic protocols are currently judged. While IHC affords advantages over diagnostic approaches that typically utilize fresh or frozen tissue, such as Western blot and ELISA, the process does not readily allow for rapid or high throughput screening. However, preservation of tissues in formalin is not dependent upon the availability of refrigeration. We report a method that allows for rapid and high throughput detection of TSE by ELISA. While this approach cannot replace IHC, it may be used along with IHC as both a more rapid and readily high throughput screen where fresh or frozen tissues are not available or not practical.

Technical Abstract: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue is regularly employed in the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) by immunohistochemistry (IHC), the standard by which all other TSE diagnostic protocols are judged. While IHC affords advantages over diagnostic approaches that typically utilize fresh or frozen tissue, such as western blot and ELISA, the process of fixing, staining, and analyzing individual sections by hand does not allow for rapid or high throughput screening. However, preservation of tissues in formalin is not dependent upon the availability of refrigeration.