Question

What are fixatives and antigen retrieval in immunohistochemistry practice?

Answer 1

1. Fixatives – required to preserve tissues and cells in a reproducible, leaf-like pattern.
2. Sections, tissue blocks, and smears are immersed in a fixative fluid, or a case of smears is dried to achieve this.
3. They stabilize tissues and cells hence protecting them from the rigours of staining and processing techniques.
4. Antigen retrieval promotes immunological reactions of antibodies with antigens in fixed tissues.
5. This can be essential to retrieve antigens through the pretreatment of specimens.