Immunohistochemistry: A Brief Historical Perspective

Author: Elias, Jules M.

Source: Journal of Histotechnology, Number 3, September 1999 , pp. 163-167(5)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $25.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The development of immunohistochemical stains grew from the earlier phases of staining, from the first tinctorial stains that morphologically differentiated among the various cell and tissue components. The best known and mostly widely used tinctorial stain today is the hematoxylin stain. Following this came the special stains that gave more defined information about tissue macromolecules, like carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. The development of histoenzymological stains allowed researchers to look more deeply into the cells for an understanding of the serum enzymes without the need for biochemical measurements. This proved useful in diagnosis of hematological pathologies and neuropathologies. When the ability to label antibodies directed against particular proteins was developed, immunohistochemistry revolutionized and broadened the scope of surgical pathology, providing new methods for solving a host of diagnostic problems.

This report briefly examines the historical context of the development of immunohistochemistry, the various techniques that fall under its umbrella, its pitfalls and limitations, and its future usefulness in diagnostic pathology. (The J Histotechnol 22:163, 1999)

Keywords: immunoenzyme methods; antigen restoration; tyramine amplification method; tinctorial stains; histoenzymology; special stains; immunoperoxidase; antibodies; immunofluorescence

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 1999-09-01

More about this publication?