Heat-induced antigen retrieval by using Tris-EDTA solution destroys nuclear structure in certain tissues.

ABSTRACT: Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 9.0) is widely used for heat-induced antigen retrieval (HIAR) in immunohistochemistry due to its high efficiency. However, it remains unclear whether Tris-EDTA is equally suitable for all tissues and for the detection of both nuclear and non-nuclear antigens. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of Tris-EDTA HIAR on mouse and human tissues. Nuclear morphology was assessed by DAPI and hematoxylin staining, while immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect nuclear and non-nuclear antigens. We found that Tris-EDTA HIAR caused selective nuclear disruption (nuclear content leakage) in thyroid, lung, and kidney tissues, manifested as weak or abnormal staining. Consequently, nuclear antigens in these tissues showed poor detection, includi

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12816847 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature