Immunocytochemistry providance

The distribution of cannabinoid receptors has been extensively mapped by quantitative autoradiography, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry. Each of these techniques has its strengths and weaknesses. Properly calibrated, quantitative autoradiography provides the best measure of absolute receptor density. Nonetheless, its spatial resolution is limited and specificity depends on the ligand used. In situ hybridization identifies the cells synthesizing CB i mRNA. However, mRNA levels and protein levels may not necessarily correlate. Immunocytochemistry provides outstanding spatial resolution however, fixation artifacts and unanticipated antibody crossreactivity must be assiduously avoided. For the most... 

Understanding the difference between processing for pre-embedding and postembedding electron microscopic immunocytochemistry provides a basis for selecting the better technique (Table 15.1). 

Immunocytochemistry, like ISH provides specific localization of target molecules within cells or tissues. Hence, it too can be used to correlate struc-... 

Acknowledgements. I would like to dedicate this review to the memory of Professor Kang Tsou, who first introduced me to the intricacies, beauty, and logic of CBi immunocytochemistry in the CNS. I am indebted to my collaborators and colleagues who have provided... 

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

Neuropeptides constitute the largest and most diverse class of signaling substances known in metazoans. Over the last 20 yr it has become apparent that neuropeptides have important roles as neurohormones, neuromodulators, cytokines, morphogenetic factors, and possibly in some cases, as true neurotransmitters. Each neuropeptide may even be multifimctional and exist in several isoforms in a given animal species. In the search for functions of neuropeptides, it has been critical to be able to localize sites of synthesis and release. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) has been instrumental in the accurate mapping of the cellular and subcellular distribution of neuropeptides in tissue. Other immunological assays, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immxmo-enzymatic assay (ELISA) provide powerful complements for quantification of neuropeptides. Several important discoveries related to neuropeptides have relied on ICC, for example Different neuropeptides have very specific distributions in small populations of neurons (1—3), neuropeptides are commonly colocalized with low-mol-wt neurotransmitters or other neuropeptides (4), the chemical diversity of neurons is far greater than previously suspected (2,3), and neuropeptide synthesis and release can be episodic (5). 

The application of immunocytochemistry to ammo acid transmitter systems m the central nervous system has provided valuable information on the cellular and subcellular locations of these transmitter systems It is particularly suited to the detection of the GABA system, and this topic forms the focal point of the chapter on immunocytochemical techniques. Although the im-munocytochemical approach is extremely valuable m specific situations, the method is of limited applicability m the amino acid field, only the GABA and taurine systems having been mapped by these procedures. 

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