JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Cancer Research
0 views • 3:12 min • April 30th, 2023
- May-Grunwald Giemsa, or MGG staining, is a two-step procedure for the differential staining of bone marrow cells, or BMCs. To begin staining, obtain a concentrated mono-layered smear of BMCs on a glass slide. Allow the smear to air dry. Treat the cells first with May-Grunwald stain containing eosin and methylene blue dissolved in methanol.
The solvent methanol initially fixes the cells. Methylene blue, a basic dye with a net positive charge, stains acidic cellular components like nucleic acids. Eosin, an acidic dye with a net negative charge, stains basic cellular components like cytoplasmic cationic proteins. Treat the cells with a buffer solution of pH 6.8 to enable the dye to precipitate and bind well with the cellular materials.
Additionally, treat the cells with Giemsa stain, also containing acidic and basic dyes, to enhance the overall staining effect. The basic dyes, azure and methylene blue, intensify acidic components' stain while the acidic dye, eosin, augments basic components' stain.
Under a microscope, erythrocytes appear pinkish-brown and platelets as small purple dots. Granulocytes display purple-blue multi-lobed nucleus and red granulated cytoplasm. Agranulocytes
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