Primary immunocytochemical methods

Immunocytochemical methods have been widely applied to visualize proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids in sectioned material. The advantage of using immunocytochemistry is to be able to localize the molecules of interest within the tissue. Several procedures have been described. Basically, these procedures can be split into four main steps that are described in subheadings (1) tissue preparation, (2) the primary antibodies, (3) the visualization of the target, and (4) enhancement of signals with antibody complexes. In addition, a protocol for alkaline phosphatase will be presented in detail in Subheading 5. The terms primary and secondary antibodies refer to the order in which they are applied to the target. The immunocytochemical procedures are not limited to sectioned... 

Merighi A, Cruz F, Coimbra A (1992) Immunocytochemical staining of neuropeptides in terminal arborization of primary afferent fibers anterogradely labeled and identified at light and electron microscopic levels. J Neurosci Methods 42 105-113... 

---