Immunofluorescence
A Diagnostic Modality Supporting Anatomic Pathology
Immunofluorescence staining is a technique used in the laboratory to diagnose diseases of the skin, kidney, heart, cilia and other organ systems.
Immunofluorescence utilizes a specific pairing between antigen and antibody to identify the deposition of abnormal molecules and proteins in the tissue or cell culture sample. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining labels a specific target antigen with a fluorescent dye such as fluorescein isothiocyanate or cyanine. The fluorescent stain visualized under a fluorescent microscope allows for an assessment of the target molecule/protein distribution in the sample.
Stanford offers both direct immunofluorescence and indirect immunofluorescence, performed by highly qualified staff.
Contact Information
Tissue collection for immunofluorescence requires special handling and transport solutions (Zeus/Michel’s Transport Medium). Please contact the lab to request biopsy kits:
Immunofluorescence/Electron Microscopy Lab
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Related Collection Guides:
Neeraja Kambham, MD
Immunofluorescence Stains
C3
C1q
C4D
Fibrinogen
Fibronectin
Albumin
Amyloid A
Amyloid P
Prealbumin/ Transthyretin
IgA
IgG
IgM
Kappa
Lambda
Type IV Collagen: a2, a3 & a5 subchains
PLA2R
IgG subtypes: IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 & IgG4
Renal Panels
STANDARD IF PANEL:
IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, C1q, fibrinogen, albumin, kappa and lambda
SPECIAL PANELS:
Alport Diagnosis Panel: Type IV collagen a2, a3 and a5 subchains
Amyloid Panel: Amyloid A, Amyloid P, prealbumin/transthyretin, kappa, lambda
IgG Subtypes: IgG1-4 for MGRS
Membranous Nephropathy: PLA2R (Membranous Nephropathy)
Antigen Retrieval IF on Paraffin Embedded Tissue: For inadequate frozen tissue or MGRS
Dermatopathology Panels
EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA PANELS:
Primary panel: Antibodies against collagen XVII (BP180), collagen IV, collagen VII, laminin-332 gamma 2 chain
Secondary panel: Antibodies against laminin-332 beta 3 chain, laminin-332 alpha 3 chain, and beta 4 integrin
Antibodies against keratin 5, keratin 14, and plectin are run on an as-needed basis.
DIF Panel: C3, IgG, IgA, IgM, fibrinogen