Quality control of proliferation marker (MIB-1) in image analysis systems utilizing cell culture-based control...

Standard controls for quality control of cell growth (proliferation) assays in image analysis systems are not currently available. The authors have developed a system of controls, based on cultured and harvested human cell lines, that can mimic tissue sections. These controls help ensure quality control for the entire cell proliferation analysis process, from the initial cutting of the paraffin block through fixation, immunohistochemical staining, and interactive image analysis. The use of cell line controls is advantageous because of the greater cell population homogeneity and the volume of uniform slides that are obtainable, as opposed to the use of a heterogeneous tissue sample. This system provides an excellent means of evaluating the day-to-day performance of cell proliferation analysis and may also be adapted for use as a method of multi-institutional proficiency testing.