There are many types of IHC-compatible slides, but we recommend SuperFrost Plus (VWR Cat# 48311-703) or Fisherbrand Superfrost slides (VWR cat#22-034-979). These slides have a permanent positive charge on their surfaces, which helps tissue sections and cells to adhere electrostatically to them. Thus, in most cases there is no need to apply any special tissue adhesives or other coatings to the slides before using them.
Other types of glass slides are also used for IHC, although they may need to be treated to promote tissue adherence. Commonly used methods include coating slides with various reagents which help the tissues stick to the glass. These materials include poly-L-lysine, chrome alum-gelatin, Mayer's albumin, starch paste, collagen, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APES or TES). Thermo Fisher Scientific' slide coating reagent is called HistoGrip concentrate (Cat. No. 00-8050). HistoGrip concentrate creates a strong bond between the tissue and the slide surface. Enzyme digestion and other antigen retrieval procedures, and even the temperatures used in CISH and FISH will not remove tissues attached using HistoGrip concentrate. Our testing showed that a HistoGrip concentrate coating results in better tissue adherence than one composed of poly-L-lysine.
