Fig. 2

Samples dehydrated with up to 90% DMSO and embedded in LR White provided significantly better antigen preservation compared to conventional electron microscopy (EM) sample processing. A Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated enhanced signal intensity and a greater number of αS inclusions in LR White-embedded samples b compared to Epon a, in 100% DMSO-dehydrated samples c compared to 100% ethanol b, in samples dehydrated with up to 90% DMSO d compared to both 100% DMSO c and 90% ethanol e. EM images revealed comparable ultrastructures across these different processing methods, despite their differences in antigen preservation. Scale bars are included in each image. B Statistical analysis confirmed that LR White preserves antigens better than Epon. Notably, for Epon-embedded samples, the total number of cells was counted in the immediate ultrathin section under EM, as DAPI staining did not label nuclei. C Statistical analysis confirmed that dehydration with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) further enhances antigen preservation compared to ethanol for samples embedded in LR White. D Statistical analysis demonstrated that hydrous DMSO (50–90%) preserves antigens better than anhydrous DMSO (100%), with 90% DMSO showing significantly higher antigen preservation than either 100% DMSO or 90% ethanol