Monoclonal antibodies in immunocytochemistry.

In this review the application of monoclonal antibodies for immunocytochemical purposes is discussed. An important basic principle is that from a methodological point of view that there are no essential differences between monoclonal and polyclonal antibody based immunocytochemistry. Specificity of the primary antibody is the most important prerequisite for reliable immunocytochemistry. Enzyme immunoassay, immunoblotting, antigen spot testing and tissue testing are the recommended procedures for specificity analysis. Studies of the most frequently used linking systems have shown that they are all suitable for use in conjunction with monoclonal antibodies. This also applies to the most important labels. It is concluded that monoclonal antibody based immunocytochemistry is one of the most valuable tools available in cell biology and pathology.