Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a laboratory technique used to determine the presence and distribution of cells or molecules within tissues. This technique works using an antigen-antibody reaction. Antigens are proteins found on the surface of cells or inside the cell. Antibodies are proteins produced specifically for antigens and react with antigens.
IHC is used to determine the presence and localization of a specific cell or molecule in a tissue sample. For example, IHC can be used to detect the presence or absence of a specific protein in a cancer tumor.
The IHC process begins with the preparation of sections of a tissue and gluing it onto the slide. Next, the tissue’s antigens are treated with specific antibodies. These antibodies are usually fluorescently or enzyme-labeled. Antibodies bind to antigens on cells, thereby determining the presence of antigens. The localization of the labeled antibodies is visualized and interpreted under the microscope.
IHC has a wide range of uses in the diagnosis of cancer, the diagnosis of immune diseases, the diagnosis of infections and the examination of tissues.
