ANTIGEN RETRIEVAL METHODS FOR IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY

摘要

Methods are disclosed for enhancing the accessibility of antigens that may be present in a biological sample using simultaneous application of heat treatment and enzymatic digestion. The disclosed methods can include contacting a fixed biological sample with an antigen retrieval solution that contains a proteolytic enzyme and heating the antigen retrieval solution to a temperature from about 60°C to about 150°C. In some examples, the disclosed methods use an antigen retrieval solution that has a pH greater than about 5.0 and contains a metal chelating agent and an enzyme that does not need a bound metal ion. In some examples, the disclosed methods use an antigen retrieval solution that contains a heat-stable proteolytic enzyme with an optimal activity between about 50°C and about 120°C. In additional examples, the disclosed methods use a proteolytic enzyme that is both heat-stable and does not need a bound metal ion to function.