Citrate Antigen Retrieval Solution (50X)

Fixation of cells or tissues with paraformaldehyde, formaldehyde, or other aldehyde-based reagents induces cross-linking between proteins, which masks antigenic sites in the sample and leads to reduced staining signals or even false-positive results in immunostaining. Citrate Antigen Retrieval Solution is one of the most commonly used antigen retrieval buffers. It is used for antigen retrieval in aldehyde-fixed samples such as paraffin-embedded sections and frozen sections, effectively removing aldehyde-induced protein cross-links and fully exposing antigenic epitopes in samples like paraffin sections, thereby greatly improving immunostaining results.

Antigen retrieval is typically required for paraffin sections to enhance immunostaining results. For frozen sections, antigen retrieval is optional; however, many studies have shown that it significantly improves staining outcomes, especially when immunostaining of frozen sections is suboptimal. In principle, for any sample fixed with paraformaldehyde, formaldehyde, or other aldehyde-based reagents—whether frozen sections or cell smears—antigen retrieval effectively removes protein cross-links and fully exposes antigenic epitopes, thereby greatly improving immunostaining results.

This product is particularly suitable for paraffin sections but can also be used for frozen sections and other sample types.