This is another example of image analysis on dual stained slides, demonstrating the ability to quantify lymphatic tissue. The dual stain from Biocare is D2-40 (Fast Red) a new selective marker of lymphatic endothelium in normal tissues and vascular lesions that does not stain adjacent capillaries. The Ki-67 nuclear antigen is marked with DAB. Together these two markers give an indication of both the lymphatic system as well as cell proliferation rates in tumors.
Quantitation of the vessels can be done in conjuction with proliferation measurements of Ki-67 cells. Only the lymph analysis is shown below. The lymph vessel area, vessel perimeter, and vessel wall thickness can be calculated (either Aperio Microvessel or Visiopharm works well on the lymph. We often run both to compare and double-check results in vascular analyses. However, with Visiopharm one can also simultaneously calculate both lymph and Ki-67 analysis).
Further applications: The D2-40 antibody is quite useful in a cocktail with CD31 or other endothelial stain. It can either be used in with the same chromogen to calculate total vascularity (vessels and lymph vessels) or differentiation of the two vessel types.
