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. 2021 Jan;32(1):84-91.
doi: 10.1111/cyt.12913. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Preservation of biomarkers immunoreactivity on cytospins protected with polyethylene glycol

Irena Srebotnik Kirbis  1 , Maria José Praça  2 , Ruben Rodrigues Roque  2 , Tina Košuta  3 , André Saudade  2 , Margareta Strojan Flezar  1
Affiliations

Preservation of biomarkers immunoreactivity on cytospins protected with polyethylene glycol

Irena Srebotnik Kirbis et al. Cytopathology. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the preservation of biomarkers immunoreactivity on cytospins protected with polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Methods: In two independent cytopathology laboratories, immunocytochemical reactions were retrospectively evaluated on methanol-fixed and PEG-protected cytospins stored at room temperature (RT) for different time periods and compared with immunocytochemical reactions on corresponding baseline methanol-fixed cytospins. Semi-quantitatively assessed immunoreactivity, using scores from 0 to 3, was considered reduced if two sequential scores were lowered by at least one point.

Results: Immunocytochemical reactions for 40 biomarkers with membrane (10), cytoplasmic (22) and nuclear (8) localisation were performed on 921 slides prepared from 183 cytological samples. For the majority of biomarkers (29/37, 78%), immunoreactivity on PEG-protected cytospins stored at RT remained unchanged in the first 12 months. Immunoreactivity for GFAP, p40 and hepatocyte antigen was monitored and remained unchanged for 1, 8 and 7 months, respectively. Partial or complete loss of immunoreactivity on PEG-protected cytospins stored for less than 12 months was found on a single sample out of the total evaluated for CD3 (1/7), CD30 (1/4), CD45 (1/10), CK5/6 (1/7), MelanA (1/7) and vimentin (1/7), while more frequent changes of immunoreactivity were found for Ki67 (4/7) and p63 (2/7).

Conclusion: Immunoreactivity on cytospins protected with PEG and stored at RT is well-preserved for at least 12 months for the majority of biomarkers.

Keywords: biomarkers; immunocytochemistry; immunoreactivity; polyethylene glycol; preservation.

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References

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