Assessing expression of apoptotic markers using large cohort tissue microarrays

Methods Mol Biol. 2008:414:83-93. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-339-4_8.

Abstract

Apoptotic markers include proteins from the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. These cascades include both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic elements. The expression levels of these elements can be assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and can indicate general trends in prov-ersus anti-apoptotic tendencies of the cells. IHC is particularly useful when studying large cohorts of paraffin-embedded specimens. Advances in tissue microarray (TMA) technology have facilitated evaluation of large cohorts of specimens, as cores from hundreds of patients can be represented on a single glass slide and stained in a uniform fashion. In this chapter, we discuss construction and staining methods of TMAs and present examples of assessment of apoptotic marker expression in malignant and benign cells using a novel method of automated, quantitative analysis of in situ protein expression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Electronic Data Processing
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Models, Biological
  • Sample Size
  • Tissue Array Analysis / methods*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor