H&E stain

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Histologic specimen of human lung tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin

Hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E stain or HE stain) is a popular staining method in histology. It is the most widely used stain in medical diagnosis; for example when a pathologist looks at a biopsy of a suspected cancer, the histological section is likely to be stained with H&E and termed "H&E section", "H+E section", or "HE section".

The staining method involves application of hemalum, which is a complex formed from aluminum ions and hematein, which is an oxidation product of haematoxylin. Hemalum colors nuclei of cells (and a few other objects, such as keratohyalin granules and calcified material) blue. The nuclear staining is followed by counterstaining with an aqueous or alcoholic solution of eosin Y, which colors other, eosinophilic structures in various shades of red, pink and orange.

The staining of nuclei by hemalum is ordinarily due to binding of the dye-metal complex to DNA, but nuclear staining can be obtained after extraction of DNA from tissue sections. The mechanism is different from that of nuclear staining by basic (cationic) dyes such as thionine or toluidine blue. Staining by basic dyes occurs only from solutions that are less acidic than hemalum, and it is prevented by prior chemical or enzymatic extraction of nucleic acids. There is evidence to indicate that coordinate bonds, similar to those that hold aluminum and hematein together, bind the hemalum complex to DNA and to carboxy groups of proteins in the nuclear chromatin.

The eosinophilic structures are generally composed of intracellular or extracellular protein. The Lewy bodies and Mallory bodies are examples of eosinophilic structures. Most of the cytoplasm is eosinophilic. Red blood cells are stained intensely red.

The structures do not have to be acidic or basic to be called basophilic and eosinophilic. The terminology is based on the affinity to the dyes. Other colors, e.g. yellow and brown, can be present in the sample; they are caused by intrinsic pigments, e.g. melanin. Some structures do not stain well. Basal laminae need to be stained by PAS stain or some silver stains, if they have to be well visible. Reticular fibers also require silver stain. Hydrophobic structures also tend to remain clear; these are usually rich in fats, e.g. adipocytes, myelin around neuron axons, and Golgi apparatus membranes.

See also [edit]

• Papanicolaou stain, other popular staining technique
• Cytopathology
• Eosin
• Acid-fast

References [edit]

• Godwin Avwioro (2011). Histochemical Uses Of Haematoxylin - A Review. JPCS 1:24-34. PDF
• Baker JR (1962) Experiments on the action of mordants. 2. Aluminium-haematein. Quart. J. Microsc. Sci. 103: 493-517.
• Kiernan JA (2008) Histological and Histochemical Methods: Theory and Practice. 4th ed. Bloxham, UK: Scion.
• Lillie RD, Pizzolato P, Donaldson PT (1976) Nuclear stains with soluble metachrome mordant lake dyes. The effect of chemical endgroup blocking reactions and the artificial introduction of acid groups into tissues. Histochemistry 49: 23-35.
• Llewellyn BD (2009) Nuclear staining with alum-hematoxylin. Biotech. Histochem. 84: 159-177.
• Marshall PN, Horobin RW (1973) The mechanism of action of "mordant" des - a study using preformed metal complexes. Histochemie 35: 361-371.
• Puchtler H, Meloan SN, Waldrop FS (1986) Application of current chemical concepts to metal-haematein and -brazilein stains. Histochemistry 85: 353-364.

External links [edit]

• SIGMA-ALDRICH H&E Informational Primer

Protocol [edit]

• Routine Mayer's Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain (H&E)
• Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) Staining Protocol
• Rosen Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine) Step by step protocol