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The origins of immunohistochemistry: Why can this technique reveal the secrets of cancer?
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an immunostaining technique that uses antibodies to specifically bind to antigens (proteins) and accurately identify specific proteins in cells and tissues. The technique was first developed by Albert Hewett Coons, Ernest Berlin, Norman Jones, and Hugh J. Creech in 1941, and subsequently Gradually evolved into today's immunohistochemistry. With the deepening of cancer research and its wide application in diagnosing abnormal cells, immunohistochemistry has become an indispensable tool in modern pathology.
Early Detection and Detection of Cancer
The expression of certain tumor antigens in cancer cells allows the laboratory to detect and determine the presence of cancer. Immunohistochemistry can be used not only for the diagnosis of cancer, but also for basic research to understand the distribution and localization of markers and differently expressed proteins in different parts of biological tissues. This technology reveals the morphology and biological behavior of cell tissues, enabling us to have a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of cancer.
Immunohistochemistry technology can specifically show the distribution of antigens in tissues, further facilitating accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment of tumors.
Sample preparation process
Immunohistochemistry can be performed on tissues that have been fixed and embedded in paraffin or on frozen tissues. The sample preparation process includes appropriate fixation, antigen retrieval, incubation with primary antibodies, and then incubation with secondary antibodies. Every step of sample preparation is crucial, and fixation and sectioning of tissues play an important role in this process.
The key role of antigen retrieval
Most fixed tissue sections require antigen retrieval to make the antigenic epitopes accessible to antibodies. This process involves high temperature heating and immersion in a buffer that effectively undoes cross-links or masking caused during fixation. Antigen retrieval is usually not necessary in frozen sections, but frozen sections fixed with acetone or formaldehyde may benefit from this procedure.
Antibodies and Labeling Methods
The antibodies used for detection can be polyclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies are produced by vaccinating animals to elicit an immune response and are typically able to recognize multiple epitopes. Monoclonal antibodies, on the other hand, are derived from a single B cell and are specific for a single epitope. These antibodies can be labeled using direct or indirect methods, and the appropriate labeling technique can be selected according to the needs of the experiment.
Diagnostic Immunohistochemical Markers
Immunohistochemistry is an excellent detection technique that can accurately show the location of specific proteins in the tested tissue. This has led to its increasing importance in neuroscience research, but its main drawback is that it is impossible to prove that the staining results are associated with the target protein, so the antibodies need to be validated in techniques such as Western blotting. In clinical pathology, immunohistochemistry is widely used in the immunophenotypic diagnosis of tumors.
The development of this technology allows researchers to easily distinguish different types of tumors, greatly improving the accuracy of diagnosis.
The significance of application in treatment
As cancer research progresses, immunohistochemistry is also being used to evaluate which tumors are likely to respond to treatment. By detecting the presence or elevation of molecular targets, the technology can help predict how a patient will respond to a specific therapy. For example, anti-estrogen therapy can be directed against tumors that have estrogen receptors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, advances in immunohistochemistry not only provide new perspectives for cancer diagnosis and treatment, but also open up new possibilities in basic research. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the biology of cells and the development of disease. With future scientific advances, does this mean that we will be able to unlock more secrets of cancer?
