Immunohistochemistry Frozen Troubleshooting

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IHC sample preparation (frozen vs. paraffin-embedded)

IHC sample fixation (formalin vs. alcohol)

IHC epitope retrieval (HIER vs. PIER)

IHC blocking non-specific binding

IHC primary antibody selection

Secondary Antibodies selection

HRP-Polymer Conjugates

IHC detection methods

Useful Links

IHC application resources

Troubleshooting IHC-P

Troubleshooting IHC-Fr

Multicolor ICC/IF staining

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IHC Handbook

TROUBLESHOOTING

No Signal

Antibody Application

• Increase the concentration or incubation time of the primary or secondary antibody.

Tissue Fixation

• Over fixation can cause epitope masking. Decrease the time or concentration of the fixative.

Antibody compatibility

• Confirm that your primary and secondary antibodies are compatible by checking the species reactivity.
• Confirm the antibody can be used for assays in which the protein is in its native conformation.
• Ensure that the secondary is working and compatible with your primary.

Permeabilization

• Use 0.5-1.0% Triton detergent in the buffers in order to allow full permeabilization of antibody and buffers into the tissue sections.

Microscope Adjustments (Fluorescence)

• Increase the exposure time of your camera.

Background

Antibody Concentration

• Decrease the concentration of the primary/secondary antibody.

Blocking

• The species of the blocking serum should be the same as the host of the secondary antibody e.g. use goat serum for blocking if your assay involves goat anti-mouse secondary.
• Increase the incubation time or concentration of serum in the blocking buffer.

Antibody Application

• Always incubate primary antibodies overnight at 4° C. Room temperature incubation increases unspecific binding and causes higher background.
• Confirm that the secondary is not crossreacting with the cells by performing the assay without the primary.

DAB Reaction

• Do not overexpose the DAB reaction. Rinse DAB off slides sooner.
• Endogenous peroxidases are activating the reaction. Quench with hydrogen peroxide.

ABC Method

• Endogenous biotin is activating the complex. Block with avidin/biotin blocking kit.

Cells Drying

• Fluorescent signal will be lost if the cells are allowed to dry. Ring coverslips with nail polish.

Microscope Adjustments (Fluorescence)

• Increase the exposure time of your camera.

Spectral Overlap (Fluorescence)

• If double or triple labeling the cells, confirm that the secondary antibody fluorochromes do not overlap into the same spectral range.

Washing

• Increase the amount of washes. Add very gentle agitation to the plates.

Sectioning Tissue

Holes in the tissue

• Ensure the blade is adequately sharp. Adjust the cutting speed. Perfuse at a lower rate.

Tissue Curling

• Decrease the temperature of the cryostat or open cryostat lid more. Cut thicker sections.

Tissue Falling Off Slides

• Use coated slides. Place slides in covered dish with a small amount of 16% formaldehyde on the bottom to fix the tissues to the slides. Be gentle when using an antigen retrieval method and avoid heavy agitation of the slides.