T4-labeling technique and its applications with particular reference to blood group antigens in bladder tumors

A variety of visual markers have been developed to detect specific cell surface components with scanning electron microscopy. Among them bacteriophage T4 (T4) has the most distinctive shape consisting of a hexagonal head and tail. This characteristic shape of T4 makes it possible to survey the cell surface at relatively low magnification and to analyze the site specificity at high magnification. Although precise localization of surface molecules cannot be mapped due to the relatively large size of T4, T4-labeling is most suitable for the analysis of wide surface areas and simultaneous observation of many cells as well as for the analysis of the tissue materials. In this paper, T4-labeling method and technical problems in actual practice including specimen preparation as well as the results obtained are reviewed with particular reference to blood group antigens in bladder tumors.