Nov 10, 2022
Immunocytochemistry
- Addgene The Nonprofit Plasmid Repository1
- 1Addgene
- Addgene
Protocol Citation: Addgene The Nonprofit Plasmid Repository 2022. Immunocytochemistry. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.eq2ly779wlx9/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: November 04, 2022
Last Modified: November 10, 2022
Protocol Integer ID: 72295
Keywords: labeling hela cell, formaldehyde fixation method, antigens in cell, antibody, fluorescent secondary antibody, antigen, primary antibody, immunocytochemistry immunocytochemistry, labeling cell, cells in culture, cell, target protein, different cell, protein
Disclaimer
We have listed the specific equipment, reagents, and methods that we use in our lab at Addgene. Equipment and reagents from other vendors should produce similar outcomes when using these protocols. However, please be aware that your protocol may need to be adjusted to accommodate slight differences between products. Addgene does not endorse or recommend specific products or equipment. Inclusion of this information is solely for transparency intended to support reproducibility in science.
Abstract
Immunocytochemistry is a technique that uses antibodies to detect antigens in cells. Here we describe the basic steps for fixing and labeling cells in culture with a primary antibody against a target protein and a fluorescent secondary antibody. This protocol outlines the steps for fixing and labeling HeLa cells for a target protein using the formaldehyde fixation method. The protocol may need to be optimized for different cells, target proteins, etc.
Guidelines
Workflow Timeline:
Day 1: Seed cells
Day 3-4: Fix and label cells
Tips and Troubleshooting:
We recommend wiping down all pipettes and equipment with 10% bleach prior to use.
The optimal fixation method will vary depending on the sample type and the protein of interest. You may need to try a variety of fixation methods to find the best conditions for your target.
The optimal antibody concentration will vary between antibodies. Review the manufacturer's instructions before starting your experiment and consider titrating your antibody to determine the optimal dose.
To ensure that your antibody is both functioning as expected and specific, include a positive control sample that you know expresses the protein, such as cells transfected with a plasmid to express the protein of interest, and a negative control sample such as cells that do not express the protein of interest.
Materials
Equipment:
- Pipette controller
- Pipette tips and pipettes
- Rocking platform
- Tweezers
- Fluorescent microscope
- 0.5–10 µL single channel pipette
- 2–20 µL single channel pipette
- 20–200 µL single channel pipette
- 200–1000 µL single channel pipette
Reagents and Consumables:
- 1X PBS
- Microcentrifuge tubes
- Sterile Poly-D-lysine coated coverslips
- HeLa cells
- 24-well plate
- 4% Paraformaldehyde
- 5 mg/mL 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)
- Bovine serum albumin (BSA)
- Triton X-100
- Primary antibody
- Secondary antibody
- Deionized water
- Microscope slide
- Anti-fade mounting medium
- Laboratory wipes
- 15 mL conical tubes
- 50 mL conical tubes
Reagent preparation:
Permeabilization buffer:
Dilute 20 µL of Triton X-100 in 10 mL PBS.
Blocking buffer:
Dilute 0.5 g BSA and 30 µL Triton X-100 in 10 mL PBS.
Antibody dilution buffer:
Dilute 0.5 g BSA and 150 µL Triton X-100 in 50 mL PBS.
300 nM DAPI working solution:
Prepare a 300 µM DAPI stock solution by diluting 2.1 µL of the 5 mg/mL DAPI solution to 100 µL PBS. Protect from light.
Prepare a 300 nM DAPI working solution by diluting 5 µL of the 300 µM DAPI stock solution into 5 mL PBS. Protect from light.
Troubleshooting
Before start
See the Materials section for preparation of necessary stock solutions.
Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for additional information specific to your antibodies, such as antibody concentrations, incubation times, and recommended compatible reagents.
Secondary antibodies must match the host species of the primary antibody. For example, use an anti-mouse secondary antibody for primary antibodies raised in a mouse.
Seeding cells
Place a sterile poly-D-lysine coated coverslip in each well of a 24-well cell culture treated plate.
Seed 5*10^3 HeLa cells per well.
Allow the HeLa cells to grow to the desired density before labeling.
Fixing and permeabilizing cells
Gently aspirate the media from the 24-well plate.
Wash each well with 500 µL of PBS, remove the wash, and dispose of it in an appropriate waste container.
Fix each well with 500 µL of cold 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS on ice for 00:15:00 .
Note
While 4% Paraformaldehyde fixation works well for many target proteins, it may not be the best fixation method for all. Alternative fixation methods such as methanol or acetone may be better for some applications.
15m
Remove the paraformaldehyde and follow your institution's laboratory safety guidelines for disposing of waste in the appropriate container.
Wash 3x for 00:05:00 in 500 µL PBS on a rocking platform.
5m
Permeabilize cells for 00:10:00 at Room temperature on a rocking platform in 500 µL permeabilization buffer.
10m
Remove the permeabilization buffer and dispose of it in an appropriate waste container.
Wash 3x for 00:05:00 in 500 µL PBS on a rocking platform.
5m
Labeling with antibody
3h 15m
Block for 00:20:00 at Room temperature on a rocking platform in 500 µL blocking buffer.
20m
Remove the blocking buffer and dispose of it in an appropriate waste container.
Dilute the primary antibody to the desired concentration in antibody dilution buffer.
Note
The optimal antibody concentration will vary but generally ranges from 1-10 µg/mL.
Add 500 µL of the diluted antibody to the wells and incubate 02:00:00 at Room temperature .
2h
Remove the primary antibody and dispose of it in an appropriate waste container.
Wash 3x for 00:05:00 in 500 µL PBS on a rocking platform.
5m
Dilute the fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody to the desired concentration in antibody dilution buffer.
Note
The optimal antibody concentration will vary but generally ranges from 1-10 µg/mL.
Add 500 µL fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody to the wells and incubate 00:30:00 at Room temperature in the dark.
Note
The plate can be wrapped in foil to block light.
30m
Remove the secondary antibody and dispose of it in an appropriate waste container.
Wash 3x for 00:05:00 in 500 µL PBS on a rocking platform.
5m
(Optional) Counterstain nuclei with 500 µL of 300 nM DAPI working solution for 00:10:00 at Room temperature in the dark.
10m
Remove the DAPI and dispose of it in an appropriate waste container.
Wash 3x for 00:05:00 in 500 µL PBS on a rocking platform.
5m
Use tweezers to gently remove the coverslip.
Blot the coverslip with a laboratory wipe to remove excess liquid.
Add 1 drop of anti-fade mounting medium to the microscope slide.
Gently place the coverslip on the microscope slide with the cell side facing down.
Observe the cell labeling on a microscope with appropriate fluorescent filters.