Immunohistochemistry is a method for detecting antigens in tissue sections using antibodies that specifically bind to target antigens. The antibody-antigen binding can be visualized using enzymes like horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase, allowing antigens to be imaged in discrete locations in tissues. Immunohistochemistry has numerous medical applications, especially in cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions for lymphomas and melanocytic tumors.

1. Dr. P. Saranraj
Head
Department of Microbiology
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous)
Tirupattur – 635 601
Tamil Nadu, India
Mobile: +91-9994146964; E.mail:
microsaranraj@gmail.com
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

2. IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY
 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a method for
detecting antigens or haptens in cells of a
tissue section by exploiting the principle of
antibodies binding specifically to antigens in
biological tissues.
 IHC combines anatomical, immunological and
biochemical techniques to image discrete
components in tissues by using appropriately-
labeled antibodies to bind specifically to their
target antigens.
 The antibody-antigen binding can be visualized
in different manners. Enzymes, such as
Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) or Alkaline

4. Uses of Immunohistochemistry
 The principles of IHC have been known since the
1930s, but it was not until 1942 that the first IHC
study was reported by Coons to
identify Pneumococcal antigens in infected
tissue.
 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has found numerous
applications in medicine, especially in Cancer
diagnosis. Lymphomas (Cancer of Lymphatic
system which carries the lymph fluid) are
among the cancers most dependent on IHC for
correct diagnosis and treatment decisions.
 Diagnosis of Melanocytic tumors.
 IHC is used for disease diagnosis, biological
research, and in drug development.