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Ten Approaches That Improve Immunostaining: A Review of the Latest Advances for the Optimization of Immunofluorescence. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031426. [PMID: 35163349 PMCID: PMC8836139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunostaining has emerged as one of the most common and valuable techniques that allow the localization of proteins at a quantitative level within cells and tissues using antibodies coupled to enzymes, fluorochromes, or colloidal nanogold particles. The application of fluorochromes during immunolabeling is referred to as immunofluorescence, a method coupled to widefield or confocal microscopy and extensively applied in basic research and clinical diagnosis. Notwithstanding, there are still disadvantages associated with the application of this technique due to technical challenges in the process, such as sample fixation, permeabilization, antibody incubation times, and fluid exchange, etc. These disadvantages call for continuous updates and improvements to the protocols extensively described in the literature. This review contributes to protocol optimization, outlining 10 current methods for improving sample processing in different stages of immunofluorescence, including a section with further recommendations. Additionally, we have extended our own antibody signal enhancer method, which was reported to significantly increase antibody signals and is useful for cervical cancer detection, to improve the signals of fluorochrome-conjugated staining reagents in fibrous tissues. In summary, this review is a valuable tool for experienced researchers and beginners when planning or troubleshooting the immunofluorescence assay.
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Yang J, Zou T, Yang F, Zhang Z, Sun C, Yang Z, Zhang H. A quick protocol for the preparation of mouse retinal cryosections for immunohistochemistry. Open Biol 2021; 11:210076. [PMID: 34315273 PMCID: PMC8316803 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using mouse retinal cryosections is widely used to study the expression and intracellular localization of proteins in mouse retinas. Conventionally, the preparation of retinal cryosections from mice involves tissue fixation, cryoprotection, the removal of the cornea and lens, embedding and sectioning. The procedure takes 1-2 days to complete. Recently, we developed a new technique for the preparation of murine retinal cryosections by coating the sclera with a layer of Super Glue. This enables us to remove the cornea and extract the lens from the unfixed murine eye without causing the eyecup to collapse. In the present study, based on this new technique, we move a step forward to modify the conventional protocol. Unlike in the conventional protocol, in this method, we first coat the unfixed mouse eyeball on the sclera with Super Glue and then remove the cornea and lens. The eyecup is then fixed, cryoprotected and sectioned. This new protocol for the preparation of retinal cryosections reduces the time for the procedure to as little as 2 h. Importantly, the new protocol consistently improves the morphology of retinal sections as well as the image quality of IHC. Thus, this new quick protocol will be greatly beneficial to the community of visual sciences by expediting research progress and improving the results of IHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialiang Yang
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongdan Zou
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Yang
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zilong Zhang
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Pharmacy School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenglin Yang
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Chengdu Biology, Sichuan Translational Medicine Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Houbin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.,Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
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