What Is the Difference Between Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry?

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What Is the Difference Between Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry?

Sean Williams: Both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) are antibody applications for the detection and visualization of proteins. Both methods are used to analyze protein localization, but there are differences between them. As the name suggests, Immunohistochemistry is used to detect proteins in fixed tissues. Whereas immunocytochemistry is used to detect proteins in isolated cells.

This results in significant differences in sample preparation between the two methods. For example, tissues are often formalin-fixed and embedded in paraffin, whereas cells can be rapidly prepared with methanol or other fixatives. In both methods, chromogenic reagents are typically used to visualize antibody binding. In this process, an enzyme, such as horseradish peroxidase, converts a soluble substrate into an insoluble colored product. Afterwards, the samples can be counterstained with a dye to provide contrast. Finally, the sample can be analyzed under the microscope to determine the localization and relative expression of the target protein in tissues or cells.

Due to the differences between these methods, antibodies will need to be optimized for each method individually.