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Immunohistochemistry and TMA

Immunohistochemistry & Tissue Microarrays

Visualize immune cell localization and target expression in tumor tissue

IHC reveals what flow cytometry cannot—where immune cells are located within tumor architecture and whether they penetrate into tumor tissue or remain confined to the stroma.

Spatial Context for Immunophenotyping

Flow cytometry quantifies which immune cells are present; immunohistochemistry shows you where they are. IHC enables visualization of tumor-infiltrating immune cells within tissue architecture—distinguishing stromal accumulation from true tumor infiltration. Our tissue microarray containing cores from syngeneic mouse models allows rapid comparison of immune infiltration patterns across tumor types, helping you select the optimal model for your mechanism of action before committing to efficacy studies.

 

Why TMA + IHC?

Tissue microarrays consolidate dozens of tumor samples onto a single slide for standardized, high-throughput analysis:

  • Informed Model Selection: Compare histology and immune infiltration across syngeneic models before study initiation
  • Standardized Staining: All cores processed identically—reducing variability and enabling reliable cross-model comparisons
  • Spatial Resolution: Visualize whether immune cells penetrate tumor parenchyma or accumulate in stroma
  • Second-Line Validation: Confirm flow cytometry findings with spatial localization of key populations

TMA Service Options

Browse the TMA Gallery

Access histology images of our syngeneic tumor models to make informed decisions about which model best fits your immunotherapeutic’s mechanism of action.

Custom TMA Staining

Request staining of our TMA with antibodies targeting your protein of interest, immune markers, or target antigens beyond our standard panel.

TMA Slides for In-House Processing

Receive unstained TMA slides for staining and analysis in your own laboratory using your established protocols.

De Novo TMA Construction

We create custom TMAs from tumors harvested during your animal studies—enabling streamlined endpoint analysis across treatment groups on a single slide.

IHC for Endpoint Analysis

Spatial Localization

Visualize whether tumor-infiltrating immune cells remain in the stromal compartment or migrate into tumor parenchyma—critical context that flow cytometry cannot provide.

Multi-Marker Co-Localization

Multiplex IHC enables co-staining of multiple markers on a single section, revealing functional relationships between immune populations and answering specific mechanistic questions.

Target Expression Quantification

Quantify and localize target protein expression in tumor tissue to validate target engagement or confirm antigen expression in your model of choice.

Second-Line Pharmacodynamic Readout

IHC is typically performed when flow cytometry or MSD has yielded promising results, adding spatial context to quantitative immune profiling data.

Standard IHC Markers

Marker Target Population
H&E General histology / tumor architecture
CD3 Pan T cells
CD4 Helper T cells
CD8 Cytotoxic T cells
CD11b Myeloid cells
Custom Upon request

Frequently asked questions

When should I use IHC vs. flow cytometry for immunophenotyping?

Flow cytometry provides quantitative immune cell frequencies and multi-marker phenotyping with high throughput. IHC shows spatial localization within tissue architecture. We often recommend flow cytometry as the primary quantitative readout, with IHC as follow-up to visualize and confirm key findings.

What tumor models are included in your TMA?

Our TMA contains cores from our syngeneic mouse model portfolio. Browse the TMA Gallery to see available models and existing staining data for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD11b.

Can you perform multiplex IHC?

Yes, multi-marker IHC can co-localize immune populations on a single section to answer specific functional questions about immunotherapeutic effects.

Can I get TMA slides to stain in my own lab?

Yes, we can ship unstained TMA slides for in-house processing using your established protocols and antibodies.

Can you create a custom TMA from my study tumors?

Yes, de novo TMAs can be constructed from tumors harvested during your animal studies, enabling efficient endpoint analysis across all treatment groups on a single slide.

How does your TMA compare to larger biobank offerings?

Our TMA is focused specifically on syngeneic mouse models for immuno-oncology research—enabling rapid model selection and IO-relevant endpoint analysis rather than broad biomarker discovery across human tumor banks.