Description: Formalin or other aldehyde fixation forms protein cross-links that mask the antigenic sites in tissue specimens, thereby giving weak or false negative staining for immunohistochemical detection of certain proteins. The Tris-EDTA based solution is designed to break the protein cross-links, therefore unmask the antigens and epitopes in formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded tissue sections, thus enhancing staining intensity of antibodies.

Solutions and Reagents:  

Tris-EDTA Buffer (10mM Tris Base, 1mM EDTA Solution, 0.05% Tween 20, pH 9.0):

• Tris Base --------------------------------- 1.21 g
• EDTA ------------------------------------- 0.37 g
• Distilled water -------------------------- 1000 ml (100 ml to make 10x, 50 ml to make 20x)

Mix to dissolve. pH is usually at 9.0 and then add 0.5 ml of Tween 20 and mix well. Store this solution at room temperature for 3 months or at 4 C for longer storage.

Note: This buffer works excellent for many antibodies, but it often gives high background staining (maybe due to endogenous biotin revealed after this pretreatment). So primary antibody can often be highly diluted. It is very useful for low affinity antibodies or when tissue antigens are not intense.

Procedure:

1. Deparaffinize sections in 2 changes of xylene, 5 minutes each.
2. Hydrate in 2 changes of 100% ethanol for 3 minutes each, 95% and 80% ethanol for 1 minute each. Then rinse in distilled water.
3. Pre-heat steamer or water bath with staining dish containing Tris-EDTA Buffer until temperature reaches 95-100 °C.
4. Immerse slides in the staining dish. Place the lid loosely on the staining dish and incubate for 20-40 minutes (optimal incubation time should be determined by user).
5. Turn off steamer or water bath and remove the staining dish to room temperature and allow the slides to cool for 20 minutes.
6. Rinse sections in PBS Tween 20 for 2x2 min.
7. Block sections with for 30 minutes.
8. Perform avidin/biotin blocking if necessary.
9. Incubate sections with primary antibody at appropriate dilution in primary antibody dilution buffer for 1 hour at room temperature or overnight at 4 °C.
10. Rinse sections with PBS Tween 20 for 2x2 min.
11. Block sections with peroxidase blocking solution for 10 minutes.
12. Rinse with PBS Tween 20 for 3x2 min.
13. Proceed to standard immunohistochemistry protocol.

Note: Microwave or pressure cooker can be used as alternative heating source to replace steamer or water bath.