NEW APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY TECHNIQUES IN DERMATOPATHOLOGY

The application of immunostaining techniques to electron microscopy sp ecimens has led to a renewal of interest in electron microscopy in bio logical research in general, as well as in dermatopathology. Refinemen ts in the preparative procedures have made easier the immunolocalizati on of antigens both in chemically-fixed and frozen unfixed tissues, em bedded in plastic and sectioned. Application of these methods has led to the demonstration of the bullous pemphigoid antigen inside basal ke ratinocytes. HMB-45 antigen has been found to be present in premelanos omes. Recently, Factor XIIIa has been localized not only in dermal den drocytes but also in endothelial cells and mast cells.