Immunocytochemistry on paraffin wax Golgi-Cox impregnated central nervous tissue

We present a new application of an immunocytochemical technique on central nervous tissue which utilizes Golgi-Cox impregnated paraffin embedded material. Sections of normal and pathological brain and spinal cord, from both Golgi-Cox impregnated tissue and for comparison formol saline fixed tissue, were studied with the following antibodies: glial fibrillary acidic protein, myelin basic protein, neurofilament, neurone specific enolase, protein gene product 9.5, ubiquitin and vimentin. Optimal results were obtained with most of the antibodies after adapting the technique by using different pretreatments including enzymes and de-impregnation methods. In addition to the Golgi-Cox impregnated structures, neuronal, glial and mesenchymal antigens were well demonstrated and the relationships between these structures clearly visible. The antigenic retention of the tissue after Golgi-Cox impregnation allowed successful immunostaining to be performed either alone or as a combined procedure. It is therefore possible to study a variety of antigens and neuronal processes in the same section with maximum results. Immunocytochemical methodology in combination with this fixative opens a new avenue for the immunocytochemical and cytomorphological study of central nervous tissue with the added advantage of making the best use of the versatility and durability of paraffin embedded material.