Masson's Trichrome Staining Kit

GLPbio's Masson's Trichrome Staining Kit provides a simple, efficient, and sensitive classic method for selective staining of cell nuclei, collagen and muscle fibers. Both paraffin and frozen sections of different tissues can be stained with this product.

Masson's Trichrome Staining, also known as Masson staining, is the most classic method for staining connective tissue, and can be used to distinguish collagen fibers and muscle fibers, with important significance in histological research and in vitro diagnosis of diseases. Collagen fibers are formed by the special arrangement of collagen proteins and play an important role in structural support and strength maintenance. They are a major component of many tissues, especially in connective tissue. Muscle fibers contain myosin and myofibrils and are responsible for muscle contraction and movement. Tissue damage caused by various reasons can lead to degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory responses. In cases of minor damage, normal structure and function can be fully restored. However, in cases of severe damage, fibrosis occurs, where excessive fibroblast proliferation fills the tissue defect but cannot restore normal structure and function ^[1]. Masson Staining can be used to analyze the quantity and distribution of collagen fibers in tissues, evaluate the degree of fibrosis, help identify inflammatory cells and inflammation-related fibrotic changes in tissues ^[2], and display fibrous tissue reactions and structures around or within tumors, assisting in the determination and diagnosis of tumor types and grading ^[3].

Masson Staining selectively stains cell nuclei, collagen fibers, and muscle fibers by using three anionic dyes: hematoxylin, brilliant green, and ponceau S-acid fuchsin. During staining, different tissues can be stained in different colors by different anionic dyes with different permeabilities. The tissue permeability depends on the tissue's structural density. Different tissues and cellular components have different pore sizes, with dense tissues having smaller pores and lower permeability, while loose tissues have larger pores and higher permeability. Small molecular weight dyes can easily penetrate dense tissues with low permeability, while large molecular weight dyes can only enter loose tissues with high permeability. For example, in fixed tissues stained with Masson, red blood cells and cell nuclei are stained purple by hematoxylin with the smallest molecular weight, muscle fibers and cytoplasm are stained red by the medium-sized ponceau S-acid fuchsin, and collagen fibers are stained green by the large brilliant green molecules^[4].

This kit provides all necessary components for Masson staining, including Hematoxylin Staining Solution, Acid Differentiation Solution, Ponceau S-Acid Fuchsin Staining Solution, Brilliant Green Staining Solution, and Phosphomolybdic Acid Differentiation Solution. Users only need to prepare ethanol solutions of different concentrations to complete the staining.

This kit is easy to use and stable in performance, providing clear coloration with short differentiation time. The stained tissue sections can be stored for a long time without fading. Please refer to Figure 1 for the performance of this kit in staining paraffin sections of rat stomach.

The Ponceau S-Acid Fuchsin Staining Solution is prone to discoloration when in contact with water. After staining, rinse with distilled water for no more than 10 seconds.

The order of use for Acid Differentiation Solution and Phosphomolybdic Acid Differentiation Solution should not be reversed. The phosphomolybdic acid differentiation solution can transform collagen fibers stained with Ponceau S-Acid Fuchsin Staining Solution into colorless or pale red, while muscle fibers remain bright red. Additionally, it acts as a mordant for collagen fibers, making them more easily bind with large Bright Green molecules. Water rinsing is not required after differentiation with the Phosphomolybdic Acid Differentiation Solution.

The purpose of using an acid solution for differentiating after staining with the Brilliant Green Staining Solution is to remove the green color from the cytoplasm, making the staining more vibrant and clearer. The recommended differentiation time is 1 minute, which can be adjusted according to the staining effect.

The Acid Differentiation Solution is flammable and should be stored in a dedicated safety cabinet for flammable liquids, away from open flames, sparks, heat sources, hot surfaces, and smoking area.

The Acid Differentiation Solution is corrosive. Please handle with care to avoid direct contact or corrosion of other objects.

This product is for research use only, not for drug, clinical diagnosis, food, or other uses.

For your safety and health, please wear a lab coat and disposable gloves during the operation.