Monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry. Applications in research and diagnosis

Monoclonal antibodies have been applied as primary antibodies for the cellular and subcellular localisation of neuroactive substances. The application of monoclonal antibodies against neuropeptides and small molecular weight neurotransmitters allows the investigation of aspects of the anatomical organisation, sensitivity to drugs and pathological aspects of cells or neurones containing these substances. A new technique for the localisation of tissue antigens has been developed based on the in vitro radiolabelling of monoclonal antibodies during their biosynthesis. This radioimmunocytochemical technique promises to be a useful tool for quantitative immunohistochemistry as well as being suitable for the simultaneous localisation of two antigenic sites at light and electron microscopical level.