The basic principle of ICC involves the use of antibodies that specifically bind to the target antigen. These antibodies can be conjugated to a detectable marker, such as a fluorescent dye or an enzyme that produces a colorimetric reaction. The main steps in an ICC experiment include:
Preparation of the sample (fixation and permeabilization) Blocking non-specific binding sites Incubation with the primary antibody Incubation with a secondary antibody (if necessary) Visualization of the signal using a microscope