CK clone AE1/AE3 staining of fibroblastic reticulin cells

[n_bjorkhammer]

All,

I have read that certain LMWCK clones and Cam 5.2 stain fibroblastic reticulin cells in axillary LN's, but I'm not aware of AE1/AE3 doing the same? I recently had a LN with weak but still specific staining of these cells. What significans does this have. Is it a case of incorrect PT or is the dilution to high? Is there any way of avoiding this?

I'm using a polymer based detection kit, with a 1:800 dilution (30min), PT module pH 6 pretreatment.

Any suggestions?

[ole]

AE1/AE3 should stain fibroblastic reticulum cells faint or moderately. Togheter with eg hepatocytes, the fibroblastic reticulum cells are cells that assures that the protocol have optimal sensitivity - that AE1/3 stains all that it should. The positivity is real, and a prove that the total sensitivity of the protocol is good.
I use such high sensitivity on eg sentinell nodes - and its generally no problem to distinguish between these cells and eg cancer cells.
You might loose AE1/3 positivity on a few cancercell types if you reduce the sensitivity - not a likely issue reg eg breastcarcinoma tho.
If you have to avoid fibroblastic retic.cell staining - its just to increase the dilution a bit - as long as one knows the possible dangers with such an approach.

ole