An immunohistochemical alkaline phosphatase staining method involves the use of an enzyme that hydrolyzes the substrate to phenolic compounds and phosphates. The phenols couple to colorless diazonium salts (chromogen) to produce insoluble, colored azo dyes. Several different combinations of substrates and chromogens have been used successfully.
The purpose of the substrate/chromogen complex is to produce a color which can be visualized via light microscopy. Fast red TR and fast blue BB (red and blue) produce a bright red or blue end product, but require aqueous mounting media since both are soluble in alcohol. An alternative to fast red TR and fast blue BB is new fuchsin (red) which is insoluble in alcohol and solvents.
Additional substrates used in alkaline phophatase staining methods include naphthol AS-BI phosphate, naphthol AS-TR phosphate and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoxyl phosphate (BCIP).
It's important to remember that alkaline phosphatase is sensitive to heat and light, which can lead to staining inconsistency.
The image displays Varicella zoster in a section of skin, demonstrated with an alkaline phosphatase detection system and fast red chromogen.