Immunocytochemistry Disadvantages

A major advantage to the indirect method is that each labeled 2° will attach to all 1° antibodies from one species (e.g., goat anti-rabbit IgG labeled with 488 flu-orophore works for all rabbit 1° antibodies). This is the method of choice today because so many different antibodies are used in biomedical research. Indirect immunocytochemistry detects proteins in cells with the high detection sensitivity, good flexibility of reagents, and the fewest steps. 

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Immunocytochemistry labels provide a dizzying list of options. Below are the most important advantages (+) and disadvantages (-) of these two methods. 

The general strategies in performing immunocytochemistry of amino acids are essentially the same as those for any other molecule. Immunolabelmg may be performed on sections of embedded tissues, on frozen or Vibratome sections, and on wholemounts, with each approach having its own advantages and disadvantages. 

The diversity of neuropeptide transmitters is fairly large, as compared to other, classical neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and glutamate. Currently, immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization are the methods of choice to map neuropeptide expression patterns in the nervous system. A disadvantage of these methods, however, is that they give limited clues to the structural identities of processed and biologically active peptides contained in the cells. Moreover, these techniques do not reveal previously undescribed cotransmitters. 

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