Preparation of Thin Frozen Sections from Nonfixed and Undecalcified Hard Tissues Using Kawamot’s Film Method (2012)

A method for preparing frozen sections with an adhesive film is described. In order to observe fine structures and weak fluorescence of samples, new types of adhesive films [Cryofilm type 3C(16UF) and 4D(16UF)] are used. The adhesive film is made with very clear and very low autofluorescence. For gene analysis, a very thin adhesive film (LMD film) is used to cut by means of the laser microdissection (LMD). For MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), a conductive adhesive film (Cryofilm type MS) is used to avoid electric charge of the sample. A biological sample is frozen quickly and freeze-embedded. The frozen sample is cut with a very sharp disposable blade made from fine tungsten carbide. The combination of the adhesive films and the blade can generate 3 micrometer thick sections from samples including bone, while it is also possible to generate 1 μm thick sections. The morphology of bone and soft tissues are preserved using this method. Cells such as osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and osteoclasts are clearly observed with an oil immersion lens at high magnification. Sections generated using the Cryofilm type 3C(16UF) shows weak fluorescent signals more clearly than sections generated with the previously reported adhesive films [Cryofilm type 2C(9) and 2C(10)]. Furthermore fluorescence of the fine structures in cells is clearly shown using a super-high-resolution microscope. Several staining and experimental methods such as histology, histochemistry, enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization can be performed on these sections. This method is also useful for preparing frozen sections of large sample such as a whole-body mouse and rat. In gene analysis, gene quality of sample collected from the section made with the LMD film is superior to that of sample made by a conventional method. The Cryofilm type MS makes almost complete section from tissues including hard tissues and large samples. The satisfactory signals are detected from the section with MALDI-MSI.