Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a microscopy technique used to identify specific proteins/molecules in biological tissue samples exploiting the specific binding between antibodies and antigens.

IHC is widely used in basic research and for diagnosis.

DBA Italia is offering a complete solution for anatomical pathology laboratories and other labs performing Immunohistochemistry (IHC) at each stage of workflow.

1. Slide Preparation

H-4000 ImmEdge Hydrophobic Barrier PAP Pen: stable with buffers and detergents, compatible with all detection systems, environmentally friendly!

SP-1800-7 VECTABOND® Reagent, Tissue Section Adhesion: significantly increase the adherence of both frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections!

2. Antigen Retrieval

Antigen Retrieval Solutions:

Citrate-Based Solution, PH 6.0 (H-3300-250)
Tris-Based Solution, PH 9.0 (H-3301-250)

Lymph Node: Without (left panel) and with (right panel) TRIS-based Antigen Unmasking Solution, Cyclin D1 (rm), ImmPRESS® Anti-Rabbit IgG Kit, DAB (brown) substrate. Hematoxylin QS (blue) counterstain.

NEW VectaPlex™ Antibody Removal Kit (VRK-1000)

Cost Effective Heat Induced Epitope Retrieval (HIER) System!

Allows users to perform heat induced epitope retrieval (HIER) without the use of a less-reliable microwave oven or water bath.

This TintoRetriever Pressure Cooker is a Low Reagent Use and can Hold up to 96 Slides Per Run. It is offered as a bundle cat#BSB 7015 with: TintoRetriever Digital Pressure Cooker with Thermometer (1); Plastic Staining Dishes (4); Slide Holders (4); Staining Dish Support (1).

Download Manual

3. Quench/Block

Blocking solutions can prevent background interference from different sources: autofluorescence, endogenous enzyme activity, Fc receptors, interactions of detection reagents with tissue/cell, proteins and other macromolecules (Choices related to Steps 1-4).

Autofluorescence Quenchers: SP-8500-15, SP-8400-15

Mouse IgG Blocking Reagent: MKB-2213-1

Enzyme Blocking Reagents: SP-5000-18, SP-6000-100

Protein Blocking Solutions: SP-5050-500, SP-5020-250, SP-5030-250, SP-5035-100

Endogenous Biotin Blocking Kits: SP2001, SP-2002

4. Primary/Secondary Antibodies

DBA Italia is offering an extensive and updated portfolio of antibodies for IHC in all research areas: Cancer (Breast, Colon, Myeloma, Lymphoma…), Infectious Disease, Immunotherapy, Neural & Neuroendocrine…

And many other brands: Abbkine, Abcepta, Abnova, Antibodies Inc., Biomosaics, Cloud-Clone, Exbio, Fitzgerald-Biosynth, GenomeMe, Immunostar, Neuromics, ProSci, StressMarq, VectorLabs, Zeta-Corporation...

Some examples:

Also available from Proteintech IHCeasy Kits :

Contains target-specific pre-optimized primary antibody
Saves times and precious samples
Perfect for IHC beginners

What's included in the kit?

- Primary antibody
- New:Optional control slide
- Antigen retrieval buffer
- Blocking buffer
- Washing buffer
- Secondary antibody
- Chromogen
- Counter stain
- Signal enhancer
- Mounting media

View all IHCeasy kits

5. Tertiary Reagents

They increase the sensitivity of detection to visualize weakly or transiently expressed, upregulated, or unknown (e.g., gene knock-in studies) antigens.

Vectastain® ABC Kits (HRP)

High-sensitivity avidin-biotin kits with horseradish peroxidase-based detection

VECTASTAIN ELITE^® ABC Kits — our most sensitive formulations, these kits offer a smaller and more uniform avidin-biotin complex for greater accessibility to biotinylated targets within tissue samples and are available in concentrated formats or as prediluted, ready-to-use (R.T.U.) formulations
VECTASTAIN Original ABC Kits — our original and most economical formulation, these kits offers good sensitivity with low background
VECTASTAIN Universal Quick Kits — our most rapid protocol, these kits offer a proprietary peroxidase-streptavidin pre-formed complex for outstanding sensitivity with short incubation times. These kits can be used to quickly detect primary antibodies made in mouse, rabbit, or goat, and are available in concentrated formats or in prediluted, ready-to-use (R.T.U.) formulations

Species on Species Detection

When your primary antibody is the same species as your specimen, to avoid background VectorLabs offers:

M.O.M.^® (Mouse on Mouse) Kits

Mouse on Mouse kits significantly reduce endogenous mouse Ig staining when applying mouse antibodies on mouse specimens (e.g. tissue sections and cell preparations). Additionally, these kits:

Contain proprietary M.O.M. Mouse IgG Blocking Reagent
Employ either avidin-biotin or polymer technology
Are compatible with fluorescent or enzyme-based detection
Are available with or without enzyme or fluorochrome

H.O.H.™ (Human on Human) Immunodetection Kit

H.O.H. Immunodetection Kit (HOH-3000) significantly reduces endogenous human Ig staining when applying human (or humanized) primary antibodies on human tissue sections. Additionally, this kit:

Is a comprehensive HRP (peroxidase) kit with volume matched reagents and ImmPACT DAB EqV substrate
Does not require tedious antibody dilution calculations
Enables staining results in about 90 mins following initial preparation
Provides essentially background-free staining on frozen and paraffin-embedded human tissue sections

ImmPRESS® Polymer Reagents for IHC

Polymer-based systems consist of an integrated polymer of active enzyme and secondary antibody that binds to a primary antibody target. This integrated format introduces significantly more enzyme at the site of localization, thereby generating a greater reaction with the subsequent chromogen, as compared to the use of a secondary antibody directly conjugated with enzyme. Additionally, use of a one-step polymer method shortens the IHC procedure by avoiding the two-step biotinylated secondary antibody and ABC reagent step that is required for standard avidin-biotin systems.

These kits offer

High sensitivity for optimum immunohistochemistry detection
Unique, non-biotin based micropolymer technology
Ready-to-use, pre-diluted reagents
Time-saving one-step protocols
Choice of enzyme (HRP or AP)

VECTASTAIN® ABC AP Kits (AP)

High-sensitivity avidin-biotin kits with alkaline phosphatase-based detection:

VectaStain ABC-AP Kits (Alkaline Phosphatase)

6. Substrate/Chromogen

Choose an enzyme substrate that matches your color preference and that is compatible with other system reagents to visualize target protein and localization.

Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) Substrates

Peroxidase (HRP) Substrates

7. Counterstain

Vector^® Hematoxylin (H-3401-500)— based on Gill’s formulation, mercury- and alcohol-free, can be adjusted for optimal intensity; suitable with non-aqueous and aqueous mounting media

Vector^® Hematoxylin QS (H-3404-100)— based on a modification of Mayer’s hematoxylin and was developed specifically for immunocytochemistry (ICC). Mercury-free, it stains within 45 sec, suitable with non-aqueous and aqueous mounting media

Vector^® Methyl Green (H-3402-500)— simple, two-step procedure, excellent alternative in multiple antigen labeling when hematoxylin obscure substrate color. Suitable with non-aqueous mounting media

Vector^® Nuclear Fast Red (H-3403-500) — fast, one-step protocol and is an excellent alternative in multiple antigen labeling when hematoxylin obscure substrate color

Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain Kit (H-3502)— includes a modified Eosin for cytoplasm staining and Hematoxylin for crisp, intense blue nuclei

8. Coverslip/Mount

VectaMount AQ Aqueous Mounting (H-5501-60)— Hard-setting, preserves the color and clarity of enzyme substrates whose reaction products are soluble in organic solvents. Stained and mounted sections can be stored in a slide box at RT for at least 2 years without fading.

NEW!! VectaMount Express Mounting Medium (H-5700-60)— Non-aqueous clearing and mounting medium: No washing, rapid drying, preserve staining for 18 months! Compatible with HRP and AP enzyme substrate.

Why VectaMount Express?

9. Visualization

10. Extra:Biospecimen

DBA Italia is offering biospecimen suitable as control slides and many other applications such as antibody characterization, biomarker screening, gene and protein expression analysis and so on…Custom and service available too.