To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma

Abstract Melanin granules may be difficult to distinguish from the brown reaction product of 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) in immunostaining. To identify a reliable immunostaining protocol for pigmented melanoma that preserves tissue integrity while enabling clear observation of antigen-antibody bindi...

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Main Authors: Juan Lin, Zhijie You, Xin Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13085-1
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author Juan Lin
Zhijie You
Xin Chen
author_facet Juan Lin
Zhijie You
Xin Chen
author_sort Juan Lin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Melanin granules may be difficult to distinguish from the brown reaction product of 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) in immunostaining. To identify a reliable immunostaining protocol for pigmented melanoma that preserves tissue integrity while enabling clear observation of antigen-antibody binding. Ki67 and the human melanoma black 45 (HMB45) immunostaining was performed on 30 pigmented melanoma specimens using three methods: (1) Unbleached control, (2) Bleached with 5% H₂O₂, (3) Alkaline Phosphatase–3-Amino-9-Ethylcarbazole (AP-AEC). Compared with the unbleached control, the coincidence rates of Ki67 and HMB45 expression in bleached with 5% H2O2 group were 90.9% and 86.4%, respectively, and the one in AP-AEC group were 81.8% and 90.9%, respectively. No significant differences (all p > 0.05) in Ki67 expression and HMB45 expression parameters (percentage, staining intensity and H-score) between bleached group vs. unbleached control and AP-AEC group vs. control across all comparative measured parameters. A 25% (4/16) tissue damage rate occurred in heavily pigmented specimens subjected to the bleaching group, and non-specific staining were observed in AP-AEC processed samples. For lightly pigmented melanoma, bleached with 5% H2O2 method optimally balanced tissue preservation and staining reliability. Non-specific immunostaining was observed in the AP-AEC group. For heavily pigmented melanoma, AP-AEC method minimized tissue damage despite minor non-specificity.
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spelling doaj-art-b33d972e555f4546b16065c7d7e4e1682025-08-24T11:29:20ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-011511810.1038/s41598-025-13085-1To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanomaJuan Lin0Zhijie You1Xin Chen2Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical UniversityShengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical UniversityShengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical UniversityAbstract Melanin granules may be difficult to distinguish from the brown reaction product of 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) in immunostaining. To identify a reliable immunostaining protocol for pigmented melanoma that preserves tissue integrity while enabling clear observation of antigen-antibody binding. Ki67 and the human melanoma black 45 (HMB45) immunostaining was performed on 30 pigmented melanoma specimens using three methods: (1) Unbleached control, (2) Bleached with 5% H₂O₂, (3) Alkaline Phosphatase–3-Amino-9-Ethylcarbazole (AP-AEC). Compared with the unbleached control, the coincidence rates of Ki67 and HMB45 expression in bleached with 5% H2O2 group were 90.9% and 86.4%, respectively, and the one in AP-AEC group were 81.8% and 90.9%, respectively. No significant differences (all p > 0.05) in Ki67 expression and HMB45 expression parameters (percentage, staining intensity and H-score) between bleached group vs. unbleached control and AP-AEC group vs. control across all comparative measured parameters. A 25% (4/16) tissue damage rate occurred in heavily pigmented specimens subjected to the bleaching group, and non-specific staining were observed in AP-AEC processed samples. For lightly pigmented melanoma, bleached with 5% H2O2 method optimally balanced tissue preservation and staining reliability. Non-specific immunostaining was observed in the AP-AEC group. For heavily pigmented melanoma, AP-AEC method minimized tissue damage despite minor non-specificity.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13085-1Melanin bleachingImmunostainingPigmented melanomaAECDABH2O2
spellingShingle Juan Lin
Zhijie You
Xin Chen
To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
Scientific Reports
Melanin bleaching
Immunostaining
Pigmented melanoma
AEC
DAB
H2O2
title To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
title_full To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
title_fullStr To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
title_full_unstemmed To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
title_short To select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
title_sort to select the optimal immunohistochemical staining method for pigmented melanoma
topic Melanin bleaching
Immunostaining
Pigmented melanoma
AEC
DAB
H2O2
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13085-1
work_keys_str_mv AT juanlin toselecttheoptimalimmunohistochemicalstainingmethodforpigmentedmelanoma
AT zhijieyou toselecttheoptimalimmunohistochemicalstainingmethodforpigmentedmelanoma
AT xinchen toselecttheoptimalimmunohistochemicalstainingmethodforpigmentedmelanoma