MICROWAVE ANTIGEN RETRIEVAL OF BETA-AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN IMMUNOREACTIVITY

FORMALIN fixation reduces beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) im munoreactivity which restricts its study in archival tissue. Formic ac id pretreatment has previously been used in an attempt to overcome thi s problem, but makes the sections very friable. In the present study, a microwave antigen retrieval method has been compared with formic aci d pretreatment for retrieving beta APP immunoreactivity in formalin-fi xed, paraffin-embedded human brain tissue. Microwave treatment resulte d in superior retrieval of beta APP antigenicity in dystrophic neurite s in Alzheimer's disease and in injured axons after head injury, using antibodies to three different epitopes. Unlike formic acid, microwave treatment causes minimal adverse effects on the strength and slide ad hesion of the sections.