H&E is the combination of two histological stains: hematoxylin and eosin. The hematoxylin stains cell nuclei a purplish blue, and eosin stains the extracellular matrix and cytoplasm pink, with other structures taking on different shades, hues, and combinations of these colors.

How does the H&E stain work?

The H&E stain uses two dyes: hematoxylin and eosin. … Hematoxylin reacts like a basic dye with a purplish blue colour. It stains acidic, or basophilic, structure including the cell nucleus (which contains DNA and nucleoprotein) and organelles that contain RNA such as ribosomes and the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

What is done during bluing process of the H and E staining?

One of the steps in the H&E procedure is bluing. As the name implies, this step converts the initial soluble red color of the hematoxylin within the nucleus to an insoluble blue color. The alkaline pH of the bluing solution causes the mordant dye-lake to reform in the tissue and become more permanent.