Immunohistochemistry--more than a staining method
Brandtzaeg, P.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 114(20): 2381-2385
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001
PMID: 7527941
Accession: 008822038
Immunohisto/cytochemistry is a versatile and potent in situ molecular probing method that is increasingly applied both for diagnostic purposes and as a research tool in immunology, pathology, cell biology, embryology, cell kinetics and carcinogenesis. In theory, the methodology is not complicated, but in practice it presents many surprising difficulties. Such problems can be masked by the uncritical use of apparently simple commercial kits. It is important to be aware of the advantages and drawbacks of the available technical modifications. This is also true with respect to the choice of immunological reagents, whether polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies were employed. Even a monoclonal antibody can produce spurious results, with a potential for severe misinterpretations.