Ultrathin cryosections for light and electron microscopy
Abstract: This technical note describes tips and techniques for light and electron microscopy using ultrathin cryosections (50-100 nm in thickness) in immunocytochemical studies. A positive contrast enhancement method described here provides excellent contrast in ultrathin cryosections at the electron microscopic level. Immunofluorescence microscopy of ultrathin cryosections is important since these physical sections minimize the potential for false co-localization in the z-dimension at the light microscopic level. The use of ultrathin cryosections is a powerful approach for the investigation of the in situ localization of antigens in the complex structure of tissue and organ systems.
Key words: ultrathin cryosection, immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, p230, z-axis resolution