TE antigen retrieval and immunostaining
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This 2-part protocol describes antigen retrieval with Tris EDTA buffer followed by immunostaining. Antigen retrieval can be helpful for aldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples that don't give sufficient signal with a standard immunostaining protocol. Several antigen retrieval methods exist but, unfortunately, you need to determine empirically which one is most suited to your antibody.
Deparaffinisation
Tris EDTA heat-based antigen retrieval
Principle
- aldehyde treatment (paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde) chemically fixes cells and tissue
- paraffin-embedding allows very thin tissue sections to be cut
- however, some antibodies don't work well after aldehyde fixation and paraffin embedding as opposed to other fixatives and cryosections
- antigen retrieval methods can improve antibody binding by reversing chemical modification of epitopes or by unfolding/refolding epitopes
Material
Tris-EDTA Buffer final concentration: 10mM Tris base, 1mM EDTA Solution, 0.05% Tween 20, pH 9.0:
(or 100 ml to make 10x)
- 0.5ml Tween 20 final 0.05% (for 1x)
The pH is typically around 9.0. Store the solution at room temperature for 3 months or at 4ºC for longer.
This buffer is basically a TE buffer with added Tween 20.