The staining mechanism behind the H&E staining is a physico-chemical process. In the first step, the positively charged nuclear dye (hematoxylin) binds to the negatively charged phosphate groups of the nucleic acid of the cell nucleus. The nuclei will be dyed dark blue to dark violet. The second step is the counterstaining with negatively charged anionic Eosin Y, a xanthene dye. Eosin binds to the positively charged plasma proteins. Cytoplasm and intercellular substances are stained pink to red, while erythrocytes will appear with yellow to orange color.
The staining mechanism behind the H&E staining is a physico-chemical process. In the first step, the positively charged nuclear dye (hematoxylin) binds to the negatively charged phosphate groups of the nucleic acid of the cell nucleus. The nuclei will be dyed dark blue to dark violet. The second step is the counterstaining with negatively charged anionic Eosin Y, a xanthene dye. Eosin binds to the positively charged plasma proteins. Cytoplasm and intercellular substances are stained pink to red, while erythrocytes will appear with yellow to orange color.
