ABSTRACT
The techniques of immunocytochemistry are very simple to perform, once they have been established for a particular tissue and antigen. The preparation of the tissue for microscopical analysis is critically important, not only to maintain the morphological structure of the sample, but to retain the antigen in its natural location within the tissue and in its natural conformation. Obviously, the choice of antibody will be influenced by the availability of antibody specific for the antigen under study. Antibody labels for immunocytochemistry either fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet light or deposit an insoluble product at the site of the antigen—antibody complex. All the different labeling methods described are very useful when more than one antigen needs to be visualized in a tissue sample at the same time. Non-specific staining can be a problem in immunocytochemistry if sufficient care is not taken, both in the choice of staining method and its implementation.
