Identification of molecules in the kidney utilizing immunocytochemistry

Immunocytochemistry of the kidney is a unique method to integrate physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology with morphology. Both mono- and polyclonal antibody reagents are useful and each has advantages and disadvantages. Specificity with low background is of the greatest importance. Tissue preparation techniques depend on the antigen being studied as well as the methodology to be used. Pre- and postembedding techniques combined with visualization with peroxidase reaction products or with particulate markers such as ferritin and gold must be chosen for each individual circumstance to be studied. Important applications in the kidney have included studies of glomerular antigens, specific transport proteins, and segment-specific antigens of unknown specificity. Future utilization of this technique with new molecular probes will greatly enhance our knowledge of the biology of the kidney.