Ethanol (anhydrous denatured, histological grade 100% and 95%).
Hematoxylin (optional).
Fixative:
Methanol.
16% formaldehyde.
3% formaldehyde: To prepare, add 18.75 ml 16% formaldehyde to 81.25 ml 1X PBS.
10X Tris Buffered Saline (TBS): To Prepare 1 L add 24.2 g Trizma base (C4H11NO3) and 80 g sodium chloride (NaCl) to 1 L dH2O. Adjust pH to 7.6 with concentrated HCl.
Wash buffer: 1X Tris Buffered Saline (TBS) To prepare 1 L add 100 ml 10X TBS to 900 ml dH2O.
Methanol/Peroxidase: To prepare, add 10 mL 30% H202 to 90 ml methanol. Store at -20°C.
Blocking Solution: 1X TBS/0.3% Triton-X 100/5% normal goat serum (#5425). To prepare: add 500 µl goat serum and 30 µl Triton-X 100 to 9.5 ml 1X TBS.
DAB Reagent or suitable substrate: Prepare according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
B. Sectioning
For tissue stored at -80°C: remove from freezer and equilibrate at -20°C for approximately 15 minutes before attempting to section. This may prevent cracking of the block when sectioning.
Section tissue at a range of 6-8 µm and place on positively charged slides.
Allow sections to air dry on bench for a few minutes before fixing (this helps sections adhere to slides).
C. Fixation
After sections have dried on the slide, fix as directed below:
3% Formaldehyde/methanol: 15 minutes at room temperature in 3% formaldehyde, followed by 5 minutes in methanol at −20°C (do not rinse in between). Proceed with staining procedure immediately.
D. Staining
Wash sections in wash buffer twice for 5 minutes.
Incubate for 10 minutes at room temperature in 3% H202 diluted in methanol.
Wash sections in wash buffer twice for 5 minutes.
Block each section with blocking solution for one hour at room temperature.
Remove blocking solution and add 100-400 µl diluted primary antibody to each section. (Dilute antibody in SignalStain® Antibody Diluent #8112). Incubate overnight at 4°C.
*Refer to product datasheet to determine the recommended dilution.
Remove antibody solution and wash sections three times with wash buffer for 5 minutes each.
Perform detection with SignalStain® Boost IHC Detection Reagent (HRP, Rabbit) #8114. Cover sections with SignalStain® Boost IHC Detection Reagent (HRP, Rabbit) #8114 and incubate in a humidified chamber for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Remove SignalStain® Boost IHC Detection Reagent (HRP, Rabbit) #8114 and wash sections three times in wash buffer for 5 minutes each.
Add 100-400 µl DAB or suitable substrate to each section and monitor staining closely.
As soon as the sections develop, immerse slides in dH2O.
If desired, counterstain sections in Hematoxylin per manufacturer’s instructions.
Wash sections in dH2O two times for 5 minutes each.
Dehydrate sections:
Incubate sections in 95% ethanol two times for 10 seconds each.
Repeat in 100% ethanol, incubating sections two times for 10 seconds each.
Repeat in xylene, incubating sections two times for 10 seconds each.