immunhistokémia

Immunohistochemistry is a laboratory technique used to detect and locate specific proteins within a tissue sample. It combines the principles of immunohistology and immunofluorescence, allowing for the visualization of antigens in their native cellular or tissue context. The process involves using antibodies that are specifically designed to bind to a particular antigen of interest. These antibodies are then labeled with a detectable marker, such as an enzyme or a fluorescent dye. When the labeled antibody binds to its target antigen in the tissue, the marker becomes visible under a microscope, revealing the location and distribution of the protein. This technique is invaluable in various fields, including medical diagnosis, research, and drug development. In pathology, immunohistochemistry aids in the diagnosis of diseases like cancer by identifying specific tumor markers, classifying tumor types, and determining prognosis. Researchers utilize it to study protein expression patterns in normal and diseased tissues, understand cellular processes, and validate experimental findings. The specificity of the antibody-antigen interaction ensures that only the targeted protein is visualized, providing precise spatial information. Various detection methods exist, including chromogenic detection, where an enzyme converts a substrate into a colored precipitate, and fluorescence microscopy, where the antibody is conjugated to a fluorophore that emits light when excited.