Applications of Immunohistochemistry in Research and Drug Development

Yasmine Pierron, Department of Clinical Trials, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, Email: pierrony@gmail.com

Received: 31-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. EJMJIH-23-108609; Editor assigned: 03-Aug-2023, Pre QC No. EJMJIH-23-108609 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Aug-2023, QC No. EJMJIH-23-108609; Revised: 24-Aug-2023, Manuscript No. EJMJIH-23-108609 (R); Published: 31-Aug-2023

Description

A potent method that has transformed the study of histology and biomedical research is Immuno Histo Chemistry (IHC). It combines the principles of immunology and histology to visualize and identify specific proteins or antigens within tissue samples. By leveraging the immune system’s natural ability to detect foreign substances, IHC allows scientists and medical professionals to gain valuable insights into cellular composition, functional characteristics, and disease processes. This cutting-edge method has become an indispensable tool for diagnosing diseases, understanding molecular pathways, and developing targeted therapies.

The foundation of IHC lies in the specificity of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to recognize and neutralize foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. These molecules are highly selective, binding only to specific antigens, proteins or other molecules that trigger an immune response.

In the context of IHC, tissue sections are first prepared from biopsies or surgical samples. These sections are then exposed to specific antibodies that target particular antigens of interest. The antibodies bind to their corresponding antigens, and any bound antibodies are subsequently visualized through various methods, such as enzymatic reactions or fluorescence, allowing researchers to pinpoint the presence and location of the target protein within the tissue.

Immunohistochemistry process

Tissue preparation: Tissue samples are collected and fixed to preserve their structure and antigenic properties. The fixed tissues are then embedded in paraffin or frozen to facilitate sectioning.

Sectioning: Thin sections of the tissue are cut using a microtome, and these sections are mounted on glass slides for further processing.

Antigen retrieval: In some cases, antigen retrieval techniques are applied to unmask the antigens, making them more accessible to the antibodies.

Blocking: To minimize nonspecific antibody binding, the tissue sections are incubated with blocking agents, such as serum or proteins.

Primary antibody incubation: The tissue sections are exposed to the primary antibodies that specifically target the antigens of interest. If the antigen is present, the antibodies will bind to it.

Secondary antibody incubation: After washing away unbound primary antibodies, the tissue sections are incubated with secondary antibodies conjugated to enzymes or fluorescent molecules. These secondary antibodies bind to the primary antibodies, amplifying the signal and making the target antigen more visible.

Detection: The tissue sections are treated with a substrate for enzyme-conjugated secondary antibodies, leading to the development of a colored reaction product. Alternatively, in fluorescence-based IHC, the slides are examined under a fluorescence microscope to visualize the labelled antibodies.

Counterstaining (optional): To enhance tissue visualization and structural context, a counterstain, often with Hematoxylin, may be applied.

Microscopic examination: Finally, the stained tissue sections are examined under a microscope to interpret the results.

Applications of immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry has a wide range of applications in various fields:

Cancer diagnostics: IHC is commonly used to identify specific tumor markers or assess the expression of proteins related to cancer development and progression.

Research and drug development: Researchers use IHC to study cellular signaling pathways, protein expression patterns, and the effects of new drugs on tissues.

Infectious diseases: IHC can be used to detect infectious agents, such as viruses or bacteria, within tissues.

Neuroscience: IHC is valuable in studying the distribution and localization of proteins in the nervous system.

Autoimmune diseases: It helps in detecting and characterizing autoimmune disorders by identifying autoantibodies and immune deposits in tissues.

Challenges and advancements: While IHC is a power ful technique, it has some challenges, such as potential false-positive or false-negative results, limited availability of specific antibodies, and technical variability. To address these issues, researchers continually work to optimize and standardize IHC protocols and develop novel approaches to enhance sensitivity and specificity.

Immunohistochemistry has evolved into an indispensable asset in contemporary medicine and research, enabling us to explore the intricate realm of cells and proteins with unmatched precision. By harnessing the immune system’s remarkable specificity, IHC enables us to unravel the molecular and cellular complexity underlying health and disease. As technology and knowledge advance, immunohistochemistry will continue to play a pivotal role in driving scientific discovery, personalized medicine, and improving patient outcomes.

Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.