Definitions for "Immunohistochemistry"
IHC. A laboratory test that uses antibodies to detect particular proteins or receptors in cells or tissue samples. IHC tests may be used to help determine whether breast cancer cells have hormone receptors or too much of the HER2/neu protein. Results from IHC can help determine breast cancer treatment options.
Technique that uses antibodies to identify and mark antigens expressed by cells in tissues.
The use of antibodies or antisera as histological tools for identifying patterns of antigen distribution within a tissue or an organism. An antibody (or mixture of antibodies) that binds to a specific protein or other antigen is tagged with a fluorescent chemical or an enzyme that can convert a substrate to a visible dye. The tagged antibody is incubated with the tissue and after washing unbound antibody away the bound antibody distribution is revealed by fluorescence microscopy or incubation with a chromogenic substrate. It is assumed that antibody distribution reflects antigen distribution.