Term: Immunohistochemistry
Definition: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a laboratory technique used to detect specific antigens (proteins) in cells or tissues by using antibodies that bind to those antigens, often visualized with dyes or markers.
Phonetic Pronunciation: (im-yoo-no-his-toh-KEM-uh-stree)
Etymological Origin: The term is derived from three components: immuno- (from Latin immunis, meaning "exempt" or "protected," referring to the immune system), histo- (from Greek histos, meaning "tissue"), and -chemistry (from Greek khemia, meaning "alchemy" or "chemistry"). It reflects the combination of immunology and chemical techniques to study tissues.
Significance in Asbestos Context: Immunohistochemistry is crucial in the field of asbestos because it is used to diagnose asbestos-related diseases, particularly mesothelioma. IHC helps differentiate mesothelioma from other cancers by identifying specific markers unique to mesothelioma cells, such as calretinin and WT-1. This technique is vital for accurate diagnosis, which is essential for treatment planning and legal cases involving asbestos exposure.
Synonyms or Related Terms: IHC, immunostaining, antigen detection, histopathology.
Example Sentence: "Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of mesothelioma in the patient, as the tumor cells tested positive for calretinin and WT-1, markers commonly associated with asbestos exposure."
Common Misconceptions:
