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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Production of Tissue Microarrays, Immunohistochemistry Staining and Digitalization Within the Human Protein Atlas
Published on: May 31, 2012
Tissue microarrays: a new approach for quality control in immunohistochemistry
J Packeisen1, H Buerger, R Krech
1Department of Pathology, Klinikum Osnabrueck, Am Finkenhuegel 1, 49076 Osnabrueck, Germany. jpackeisen@pathoweb.de
Insights
Implementing a tissue microarray technique improved immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining interpretation. This method enhances quality control for routine IHC, aiding accurate antigen profiling and diagnostic evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Accurate interpretation of IHC staining results is essential for reliable diagnostics.
- Quality control in routine IHC can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and evaluate the utility of a tissue microarray (TMA) technique for improving IHC staining interpretation in a routine setting.
- To assess the TMA technique as a tool for internal quality control in IHC.
Main Methods:
- A TMA was constructed using 600-micrometer tissue cores from routine paraffin-embedded samples.
- TMA blocks contained 12 diverse tissue samples and served as internal positive controls on patient slides.
- The TMA technique was applied to IHC procedures for over 20 different antigens.
Main Results:
- The TMA technique significantly improved the interpretation of IHC staining for numerous antigens.
- The TMA did not adversely affect staining results in conventional or automated IHC platforms.
- This method provided effective internal quality control for routine IHC.
Conclusions:
- Regular use of an institution-adapted TMA is beneficial for internal positive control in IHC.
- The TMA technique enhances the evaluation and reliability of IHC staining results.
- This approach supports diverse laboratory demands and improves diagnostic accuracy.
Aims:
To improve the interpretation of immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining results the use of a tissue microarray technique was established in a routine setting.
Methods:
A tissue microarray was constructed by harvesting 600 microm tissue cores from paraffin wax embedded samples available in a routine pathology department. The punches originating from non-tumorous tissue were placed on host paraffin wax blocks. The microarray contained 12 different tissue samples, with a wide antigen profile and a dimension of 3.5 x 3 mm. One section of the multitissue array was placed as an "internal" positive control on each slide of the patient tissue to undergo identical immunohistochemical procedures.
Results:
Using the tissue microarray technique as a tool for internal quality control, the interpretation of immunohistochemical staining of more than 20 different antigens in routine IHC was improved. The tissue microarray did not influence the staining results in conventional IHC or in different automated IHC settings.
Conclusion:
The regular use of an institution adapted tissue microarray would be useful for internal positive control in IHC to enable different laboratory demands. Furthermore, this technique improves the evaluation of staining results in IHC.
