The influence of staining procedures on the assessment of cell proliferation as defined by the monoclonal antibody Ki-67

Am J Dermatopathol. 1990 Oct;12(5):458-61. doi: 10.1097/00000372-199010000-00005.

Abstract

We examined the influence of different staining techniques [(three-step immunoperoxidase technique (IP); alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase technique (APAAP)] on the quantitative evaluation of Ki-67-labeled nuclei. We studied five melanocytic skin tumors. From each case, five parallel sections were prepared and stained using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique (slide 1) and the APAAP technique once (slide 2). Slide 3 consisted of a single repetition of the APAAP technique, slide 4 was a double repetition, and slide 5 was a third repetition. We assessed the volume fraction (VV) of Ki-67-positive nuclei using computer-assisted image analysis. For each staining group, the mean value and standard deviation of VV were calculated. Comparing VV values obtained from the different staining groups we did not find a statistically significant difference between the IP and the various APAAP steps (Wilcoxon test, p = less than 0.05). However, the staining procedure influenced the quantitative results to some extent. The mean VV of the five staining groups ranged in our study from 0.10 to 0.17%, which is narrow compared with the overall variability among different cases (dermal melanocytic nevus, 0.01%; metastatic malignant melanoma, 0.43%). Therefore, we can state that for a rough evaluation of Ki-67-positive nuclei, the influence of different staining methods is negligible; for a subtle quantitative analysis, however, it would nevertheless be preferable to always apply the same staining technique.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Surface / analysis*
  • Cell Division
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques*
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Melanocytes / pathology
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Nevus / metabolism
  • Nevus / pathology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / analysis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Nuclear Proteins