A new technique for studying specificity of immunocytochemical procedures: specificity of serotonin immunostaining.

Abstract

A novel nonbiological model is described that can be used to evaluate the specificity of immunocytochemical procedures.The model is based upon the use of gelatin gels that contain antigen or related substances in different desired concentrations.The gels are treated identically to tissue samples.Thus, after fixation, cryostat sections ( 10 gam) are made and incubated with antisera for immunostaining.The intensity of the evoked immunostaining is dependent on the nature and the concentration of the substance incorporated in the gel.In this way the cross-reactivity of substances in immunocytochemical procedures can be established.Obviously this is dependent on fixation ofsubstances in the gel.In addition, the potency ofvarious substances in solution to inhibit immunostaining of antigen-containing gels can be determined (immunoinhibition