Abcam, ab150681, Picro Sirius Red Stain Kit (Connective Tissue Stain)

Size: 30mL / 250mL
Picro-Sirius Red Stain Kit (Connective Tissue Stain) ab150681 is an easy-to-use histological kit to visualize collagen I and collagen III fibers in addition to muscle in tissue sections. - Specific stain to study collagen networks in different tissues - Suitable for light microscopy and polarized light microscopy - Cited in over 320 publications
Key facts
Sample types:Tissue sections,
Assay time:1h

Product details:
Picro sirius red staining has traditionally sometimes been used with polarized light to more easily differentiate the collagen fibres from the background. Studies have used the differences between the appearance of different collagen fibres under polarized light to differentiate between different types of collagen fibres; it is unclear if the differences in appearance of the fibres is due to orientation, thickness and packing of the fibres rather than reflecting different types of collagen fibers.
Picro sirius red staining protocol summary
- Deparaffinize sections if necessary and hydrate in distilled water
- Cover sections in picro-sirius red solution and incubate for 60 min
- Wash slide with acetic acid solution
- Wash slide with absolute alcohol
- Dehydrate, clear and mount slide
Staining Interpretation
Light Microscopy
Collagen
Muscle Fibers
Yellow
Cytoplasm
Yellow
Polarized Light Microscopy
Type I (Thick fibers)
Yellow-Orange Birefringence
Type III (Thin fibers)
Green Birefringence
Control Tissue:
Lung, Uterus, Muscle, Kidney.
Getting the best performance from ab150681
ab150681 may not be suitable for frozen sections.
Related and recommended products
See below other connective tissue stains to highlight and identify different types of connective tissue in tissue samples with different dyes:
- Trichrome Stain Kit (Connective Tissue Stain)
ab150686
- Phosphotungstic Acid Hematoxylin (PTAH) Stain Kit (Connective Tissue Stain)
ab150683
- Reticulum Stain Kit (Connective Tissue Stain)
ab150684
Other Notes
Please note, the 250 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 - Cannot 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.
Collagen I and III are important structural proteins within the extracellular matrix providing tensile strength and structural support to tissues. Collagen I often called Type I collagen has a molecular mass of approximately 300 kDa. It is expressed abundantly in skin bone tendons and other connective tissues. Collagen III known as Type III collagen is generally found alongside Type I particularly in skin blood vessels and internal organs. Both collagens are essential for maintaining tissue integrity with muscle fibers interacting closely to support proper muscle function.
Biological function summary
Collagen fibers are significant for tissue architecture and are involved in wound healing fibrosis and tissue regeneration. They are components of a complex network within the extracellular matrix that involves proteoglycans and other matrix proteins. Collagens also serve as ligands for cellular receptors like integrins which influence cell adhesion and signaling processes. Picrosirius red is a commonly used stain for identifying collagen fibers in histological studies as it enhances the visibility of these fibers under polarized microscopy.
Pathways
These collagens play roles in both the Wnt signaling pathway and the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway. They are important for tissue development and repair directly interacting with factors like fibronectin and matrix metalloproteinases. The interactions within these pathways regulate not only synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix but also influence cellular behaviors such as migration proliferation and differentiation.
Collagen I and III are associated with fibrotic diseases and connective tissue disorders. Mutations or dysregulations in collagen production can lead to conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome characterized by connective tissue fragility or pulmonary fibrosis which involves excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. Aberrations in these collagens can also disrupt interactions with proteins like elastin impacting tissue elasticity and leading to further pathological conditions.