How are immune cells identified in histological studies?
In histological studies, immune cells are identified using various staining techniques, most notably immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC employs specific antibodies that bind to antigens expressed by immune cells, such as CD4 for helper T cells and CD8 for cytotoxic T cells. Other techniques, like flow cytometry and in situ hybridization, also help in identifying and quantifying different populations of immune cells within tissues.
