IHCt

Immunohistochemistry (IHCt) is a laboratory technique used primarily in medical diagnostics and research to detect specific antigens in tissue sections by exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to antigens in biological tissues. The term "IHCt" is not a widely recognized or standardized abbreviation, but it may refer to immunohistochemistry with a specific context or variant, such as immunohistochemistry combined with other techniques (e.g., immunofluorescence or in situ hybridization). For clarity, this article focuses on standard immunohistochemistry (IHC) and its applications.

In IHC, tissue samples are fixed, sliced into thin sections, and mounted on slides. The sections are then treated with primary antibodies that bind to the target antigen within the tissue. Following this, a secondary antibody conjugated with an enzyme (such as horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase) or a fluorescent dye is applied. The enzyme reacts with a substrate to produce a visible color, or the fluorescent dye emits light under specific wavelengths, revealing the presence and location of the antigen.

IHC is widely used in pathology for diagnosing diseases such as cancer, where it helps identify specific proteins associated with tumor types, prognosis, or treatment response. For example, detecting HER2 in breast cancer or CD markers in lymphomas aids in personalized treatment planning. Beyond diagnostics, IHC is a valuable tool in research for studying protein expression, localization, and interactions within cells and tissues.

The technique offers high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for precise visualization of molecular targets. However, it requires careful optimization of antibody selection, fixation methods, and staining protocols to ensure accurate and reproducible results. Variations such as immunofluorescence IHC enable the simultaneous detection of multiple antigens, expanding its utility in complex biological studies.