Abstract
STUDIES from our laboratories have shown that ruthenium red, empirical formula [Ru3O2(NH3)14]Cl6·4H2O, M.W. 858.5 (ref. 1), reacts specifically with mast cell granules2. These organelles are stained red and rendered electron dense, probably as a consequence of a reaction between the stain and granule acid glycosaminoglycan2. After vital staining or staining at fixation, the electron density is usually intense but irregular and sometimes varies from one experiment to another. The variation might be caused by differences in the content of glycosaminoglycan, blocking substances or poor penetration of the stain3. With vital staining it is also obvious that ruthenium red can function as a poly-cation histamine releaser, although at temperatures greater than 4° C this stain did not degranulate mast cells as markedly as did astra blau, a copper containing polyammonium stain.
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References
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GUSTAFSON, G., PIHL, E. Staining of Mast Cell Acid Glycosaminoglycans in Ultrathin Sections by Ruthenium Red. Nature 216, 697–698 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/216697a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/216697a0
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