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Published on: February 13, 2019
Histology and Immunohistochemistry of Adipose Tissue: A Scoping Review on Staining Methods and Their Informative
Tom Schimanski1, Rafael Loucas1, Marios Loucas2
1Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Insights
Histology and immunohistochemistry are vital for assessing adipose tissue quality in regenerative medicine. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) is common, but specialized stains and markers offer detailed insights for fat grafting research.
Area of Science:
- Adipose tissue research
- Regenerative medicine
- Fat grafting technologies
Background:
- Histological and immunohistochemical analyses are crucial for evaluating lipoaspirate quality in regenerative medicine and fat grafting.
- These methods assess tissue viability, cellular subtypes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, impacting graft retention and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize common adipose tissue histology and immunohistochemistry staining methods.
- To guide researchers in selecting appropriate methodologies for experimental and translational adipose tissue research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Library (inception–2024).
- Inclusion of peer-reviewed, English-language studies on undigested human adipose tissue using histology or immunohistochemistry.
- Focus on studies reporting quantitative and qualitative data on adipose tissue markers.
Main Results:
- Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) was the most frequent stain (152/166 studies), followed by Masson Trichrome and Sudan III.
- Common immunohistochemical markers included CD31, CD34, and perilipin for cell identification and inflammatory processes.
- Semiquantitative and quantitative analyses assessed fibrosis, necrosis, SVF cell density, adipocyte integrity, and ECM composition, noting methodological inconsistencies in 25 studies.
Conclusions:
- Histological and immunohistochemical methods are critical for adipose tissue research.
- H&E is standard for clinical evaluation; specialized stains/markers are key for experimental analysis.
- Standardizing protocols will improve comparability and advance adipose tissue-based therapies.
Background:
Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of adipose tissue are essential for evaluating the quality and functionality of lipoaspirates in regenerative medicine and fat grafting procedures. These methods provide insights into tissue viability, cellular subtypes, and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition-all factors influencing graft retention and clinical outcomes.
Purpose:
This scoping review aims to summarize the most commonly used staining methods and their applications in the histology and immunohistochemistry of adipose tissue. By exploring qualitative and quantitative markers, we seek to guide researchers in selecting the appropriate methodologies for addressing experimental and translational research.
Methods:
A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to 2024, employing Boolean operators ("lipoaspirate" OR "fat graft" OR "gauze rolling" OR "decantation" OR "coleman fat" OR "celt" OR "nanofat" OR "lipofilling" OR "human fat" AND "histol*"). Studies were included if they utilized histology or immunohistochemistry on undigested human adipose tissue or its derivatives. The inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed, English-language studies reporting quantitative and qualitative data on adipose tissue markers.
Results:
Out of 166 studies analyzed, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) was the most frequently employed histological stain (152 studies), followed by Masson Trichrome and Sudan III. Immunohistochemical markers such as CD31, CD34, and perilipin were extensively used to distinguish stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells, adipocytes, and inflammatory processes. Studies employing semiquantitative scoring demonstrated enhanced comparability, particularly for fibrosis, necrosis, and oil cyst evaluation. Quantitative analyses focused on SVF cell density, mature adipocyte integrity, and ECM composition. Methodological inconsistencies, particularly in preparation protocols, were observed in 25 studies.
Conclusions:
This review highlights the critical role of histological and immunohistochemical methods in adipose tissue research. H&E staining remains the cornerstone for general tissue evaluation in the clinical context, while specialized stains and immunohistochemical markers allow for detailed analyses of specific cellular and ECM components in experimental research. Standardizing preparation and evaluation protocols will enhance interstudy comparability and support advancements in adipose tissue-based therapies.
