Quantifiable Internal Reference Standards QIRS

Indeed, there are potentially several different levels to approach standardization of IHC For the greatest scientific rigor, it is required to perform serial experiments based upon the hypothesis mentioned above to investigate and validate, if possible, standardization of IHC based on the AR technique (Chapter 5 in detail). Another approach, that may be combined with AR, is the systematic development of Quantifiable Internal Reference Standards (QIRS) that will allow assessment of the degree of protein degradation... 

Two different and possibly complementary approaches have been explored. One utilizes a panel of quantifiable internal reference standards (QIRS), which are common proteins present widely in tissues in relatively consistent amounts.11,22 In this instance because the reference proteins are intrinsic to the tissue they are necessarily subjected to identical fixation and processing, and incur no additional handling or cost, other than synchronous performance of a second IHC assay (stain), such that the intensity of reaction for the QIRS and the test analyte can be compared by IA, allowing calculation of the amount of test analyte (protein) present on a formulaic standard curve basis. The other approach seeks to identify external reference materials and to introduce these into each step of tissue preparation for cases where IHC studies are anticipated in this instance the logistical issues of production, distribution, and inclusion of the reference standard into all phases of tissue processing also must be considered, along with attendant costs. 

---