Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemistry has contributed to our understanding of cell attachment,
embryological development, cancer and metastases and some pathological
conditions. A great deal of evidence demonstrates that immunohistochemistry
is a valuable tool to investigate adhesion molecule expression and spatial
distribution in both normal physiology and pathophysiology. Importantly, the
critical role of adhesion molecules in development has been elucidated, in part, by
immunohistochemical techniques. Cancer development, inl ammation and acute
renal failure are useful examples of this methodology in dissecting the contribution
of adhesion molecules to pathophysiology. While several important questions have
been addressed, the techniques are still limited by antibody specii city. However,
progress in epitope unmasking has signii cantly advanced the i eld, as well as the
development of more sensitive l uorescence-based detection. In addition, the
ability to perform co-localization of molecules has proven to be a major advance
that has facilitated the understanding of the indispensable involvement of adhesion
molecules in normal and disease states.
SUMMARY
• Immunohistochemistry is a valuable technique that has been used to
understand the function of adhesion molecules.
• Immunohistochemistry has advanced our understanding of cell
attachment.
• Immunohistochemistry techniques led to the understanding of cell
attachment and migration during embryological development.
• Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the change from solid tumors to
migrating cells in cancer.
• Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the movement of some species
of adhesion molecules from the cell membrane to the cytoplasm to the
nucleus.
• Immunohistochemistry techniques have led to a better understanding of
the pathophysiology of inl ammation and kidney disease.
Key Facts about Immunohistochemistry and Localization of
Proteins of Interest
1. Immunohistochemistry is used to visibly identify the location of specii c
proteins within a tissue.
2. Colored or l uorescent dyes can be attached to antibodies that will in turn
attach to the protein of interest.
