Stains & CD markers
Reticulin
Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Reticulin[title]
Reticulin
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 June 2005
Last staff update: 18 June 2021
Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Reticulin[title]
Cite this page: Pernick N. Reticulin. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsreticulin.html. Accessed April 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Demonstrates reticular fibers and basement membrane material
- Not related to reticulum cells
- Reticular fibers: thin, usually type III collagen, widespread in connective tissue throughout the body
- Basement membrane is composed of type IV collagen and laminin
- Both have bound proteoglycans highlighted by silver stains and PAS
Uses by pathologists
- Often not helpful in nonclassic cases
- Outlines architecture of liver and spleen
- To diagnose hemangiopericytoma, vascular smooth muscle, fibrosarcoma or fibrothecoma (stains each cell) vs. endothelial cell tumors (stains outside of all cells), MPNST (runs parallel to spindle tumor cells without surrounding them at the poles)
- Architecture disrupted by hepatocellular carcinoma and other hepatocellular proliferations
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
Normal liver
Normal spleen
Leiomyosarcoma
