Optimizing the immunohistochemical signal from the transferrin receptor in liver tissue

Cellular expression of the transferrin receptor is determined by the proliferative state and iron requirements of the cell. Previous immunohistochemical studies using a number of anti-(transferrin receptor) monoclonal antibodies confirmed the biochemical evidence that hepatocytes express the receptor, although the distribution shown was patchy with only a small number of cells showing positive staining. In the present study, a number of techniques have been compared to optimize detection of the immunohistochemical signal from the transferrin receptor in human liver tissue. Using an alkaline phosphatase detection system, widespread expression of this receptor with both cytoplasmic and membrane staining was found in all parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells.