ENZYME TRIPLE STAINING FOR DIFFERENTIATION OF LYMPHATICS FROM VENOU S AND ARTERIAL CAPILLARIES

Abstract

5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase)-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DAPase)-alkaline phosphatase(ALPase) triple staining was used to differentiate lymphatics from venous and arterialcapillaries in a variety of mammalian tissue sections including human. This triple stainingmethod facilitates specific identification under a light microscope of 5'-Nase activity inlymphatics, DAPase activity in venous capillaries and venules and ALPase activity in arterialcapillaries and arterioles. This technique depicts initial lymphatics more clearly andextensively than other methods so far reported although some interspecies and tissuedifferences are obtained in each enzyme activity.