A novel immunohistochemical detection system using mirror image complementary antibodies (MICA).
OBJECTIVE
To describe and illustrate a novel and highly sensitive peroxidase-based immunohistochemical detection system which employs mutually attractive, mirror image complementary antibodies (MICA).


RESULTS
To demonstrate the sensitivity of the MICA system alongside the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method, we selected a range of mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal primary antibodies against antigens that are generally regarded as relatively difficult or impossible to detect on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymphoid tissue. Compared with the ABC method, the MICA immunodetection method enabled us to dilute primary antibodies up to 200-fold with equivalent or superior immunostaining results and, usually, considerably shortened primary antibody incubation times.


CONCLUSIONS
We have described and illustrated a novel immunohistochemical detection system and demonstrated greatly increased sensitivity over the commonly used ABC system. An additional advantage of the MICA system is that it is avidin-free and so avoids non-specific staining due to endogenous tissue biotin.
Mangham
D C
DC
Department of Musculoskeletal Pathology, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Isaacson
P G
PG
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000473:pathology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D017728:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011817:Rabbits; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000956:Antigens, Viral