Abcam, ab150674, Iron Stain Kit (Prussian Blue Stain)

Size: 30mL / 125mL
Iron Stain Kit (Prussian Blue stain) ab150674 is used to stain for ferric iron in tissues, blood smears, or bone marrow smears. - Suitable for Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded sections - Cited in over 40 publications
Product details:
How the assay works
This iron stain kit is based on the Prussian Blue stain reaction in which ionic iron reacts with acid ferrocyanide producing a blue color. Ferric iron is normally found in small amounts in bone marrow and the spleen. Abnormally large deposits may be seen in hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis.
Iron Stain Kit (Prussian Blue Stain) protocol summary:
- deparaffinize sections if necessary and rehydrate
- incubate for 3 min in iron stain (mix of potassium ferrocyanide and hydrochloric acid)
- rinse in water
- counterstain in nuclear fast red
- rinse in water
- dehydrate in alcohol and mount
Staining Interpretation
Iron Bright Blue
Nuclei Red
Background Pink
Control Tissue: Spleen, Bone Marrow
For Colloidal Iron, we recommend Colloidal Iron Stain Kit (Mucin Stain)
ab150664
How other researchers are using
Iron Stain Kit (Prussian Blue stain) has been used in a variety of sample type including:
- Intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6 1
- Human endothelial progenitor cell 2
- Mouse ischemic retinas
References:
1 - Feng et al. 2023; 2 - Shin H et al. 2022; 3 - Dvoriantchikova et al. 2022.
Related and recommended products
Find more kits and reagents in the special stains guide, or products for antigen retrieval, blocking, signal amplification, visualization, counterstaining, and mounting in the IHC kits and reagents guide.
Other Notes
Please note, the 125 mL selling size, was previously described as 100 Test. There has been no change to the physical product.

Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Ambient - Can Ship with Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions-Ambient, Appropriate long-term storage conditions-Ambient, Storage information-Ambient

Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Iron is a chemical element essential for various metabolic processes. It functions as a cofactor for proteins involved in oxygen transport and electron transfer. Iron exists in several forms including ferritin and hemosiderin and has a molecular mass of approximately 55.85 dalton. In human bodies iron is expressed mainly in red blood cells liver muscle tissues and is stored in ferritin complexes. For histological studies techniques such as iron staining and Perls Prussian blue are used to visualize iron in tissues. Additionally assays of iron and iron TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) measure iron levels and binding affinity.
Biological function summary
Iron plays a role in cellular respiration DNA synthesis and electron transport. It is essential in hemoglobin within red blood cells and myoglobin in muscles where it binds and transports oxygen. Iron is also part of the iron-sulfur cluster and heme complexes important for electron exchange in cells. The blue stain used in histology highlights areas rich in iron aiding in diagnosis and research. You can assess iron availability and transport through tests like iron + TIBC.
Pathways
Iron is integral to oxygen transport and mitochondrial electron transport chain regulation. It is important in erythropoiesis and energy production. Iron works with proteins like transferrin and ferritin important for maintaining iron homeostasis. Cytochrome oxidase a heme-containing enzyme plays an essential role in electron transport linked with iron. Iron is also vital in modulating cellular oxidative stress pathways which help in managing reactive oxygen species.
Abnormal iron metabolism leads to conditions like anemia and hemochromatosis. In anemia deficiency of iron results in reduced oxygen transport due to low hemoglobin levels. Hemochromatosis on the other hand involves iron overload damaging organs like the liver and heart. The balance of iron is regulated by proteins including transferrin and ferritin which maintain necessary levels for cellular function and prevent toxic accumulation. The use of iron staining in histology assists in identifying iron-related pathologies.