Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Definition

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a laboratory technique used to visualize the presence and localization of specific antigens in tissue sections by using labeled antibodies. It combines histological, immunological, and biochemical techniques to identify cells or tissue components.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Uses specific antibodies tagged with a detectable label such as an enzyme or fluorescent dye.
2. Widely used for diagnosing diseases, especially cancer, by identifying specific markers on cells.
3. Can be performed on fresh, frozen, or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
4. Involves steps like antigen retrieval, blocking non-specific binding sites, applying primary and secondary antibodies, and visualizing the signal.
5. Controls are crucial in IHC to validate specificity and sensitivity of antibody-antigen interaction.

Review Questions

• What type of labels can be used in IHC for detection?
• Why is IHC important in disease diagnosis?
• What are the key steps involved in performing an IHC procedure?

Related terms

Antigen Retrieval: A process used in IHC to unmask epitopes by breaking protein cross-links formed during fixation.

Primary Antibody: An antibody that binds specifically to the antigen of interest in an IHC assay.

Secondary Antibody: An antibody that binds to the primary antibody and is usually conjugated with a label for detection.