FOXP3 immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue: poor correlation between different antibodies

J Clin Pathol. 2008 Aug;61(8):969-71. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2008.056200. Epub 2008 Apr 15.

Abstract

Since its original description, there has been a substantial output of publications related to the FOXP3 gene. The FOXP3 protein, a member of the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcriptional regulators is a nuclear product and is not expressed in the cell cytoplasm or on the cell surface. Expression of this single transcription factor causes a developmental switch in naïve T cells to a suppressor cell phenotype, more commonly referred to as regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs have been intensively studied in various autoimmune diseases, infections and different cancers. An increasing choice of commercially available monoclonal antibodies targeting FOXP3 is now available. This report describes the experience of using two commonly used monoclonal FOXP3 antibodies on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of different organs, including the cervix and vulva. The antibodies targeting different FOXP3 epitopes unexpectedly resulted in significantly different staining patterns. This phenomenon has not been previously reported and is likely to be an important observation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Formaldehyde
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tissue Fixation / methods
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Formaldehyde