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Immunohistochemistry


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Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a compound name of three parts: “immuno” refers to antibodies and antigens based, “histo” meaning tissue, and “chemistry” referring to chemical substances reactions. Immunohistochemistry detects antigens in cells of a tissue section by using the idea of antibody binding specifically to antigen. Immunohistochemistry is a variation of histochemistry which is a technique that reveals tissue structure and abnormalities but the stain does not distinguish among proteins. In 1941, Dr. Albert Coons, a pathologist and immunologist physician, was the first person who began to do IHC in collaboration with Louis Fieser, an organic chemist. They succeeded in showing antibody-antigen reactions under an ultraviolet light source. This basic laboratory model led them to apply the same idea to anatomic pathology. From there IHC developed to be more usable in basic and clinical research to recognize the expression and localization of antigens (proteins) in different parts of a biological tissue.

A proper tissue collection is important to maintain cell morphology and tissue structure. Colonoscopy, laparoscopy, cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, and other kinds of endoscopy can be passed to the concerned region. Endoscopy is a long tube that contains a video camera at the head and biopsy forceps that can extend to cut off three to five millimeter area of the interest area to give a biopsy sample. After the tissue is separated from its source of nutrients, necrotic degradation begins immediately. Therefore, it is critical to keep the tissue wet by using moist paper in a covered container. Then, the tissue is rapidly delivered to the pathology lab for further processing.

The Fixation step is considered the first preparation sample for many laboratories. Most IHC processes destroy some of these antigens as a result of a poor fixation because of the limited amount of antigens in each tissue sample. At this stage scientist or researchers are purposely change antigens structure to preserve them from degradation, elution, or other modifications that occur in normal unfixed tissue samples. Also, they protect the site of the antigen to provide a target for antibodies that will be used later.

 

 

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