Increasing Immunohistochemistry Sensitivity

Methods to increase the sensitivity of the immunohistochemistry method work by exposing antigenic sites, also known as epitopes, which may lie buried within the proteins structure. These epitopes would otherwise be undetectable from antibodies applied to the section. Such techniques have become termed as ‘antigen-unmasking’ and ‘antigen-retrieving’ techniques. Such techniques include: digestion with proteolytic enzymes, use of microwaves to denature proteins, and pressure cookers.