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Antibodies are forever: a study using 12–26‐year‐old expired antibodies
Author(s) -
Argentieri Maria C,
Pilla Daniela,
Vanzati Alice,
Lonardi Silvia,
Facchetti Fabio,
Doglioni Claudio,
Parravicini Carlo,
Cattoretti Giorgio
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12225
Subject(s) - antibody , medicine , histology , pathology , immunology
Aims The aim of this study was to investigate whether the shelf‐life of diagnostic antibodies is longer than the expiry date on the label. Methods and results Four independent laboratories tested a small number of diagnostic antibodies kept at +4°C for 12–26 years, and found them to work perfectly on routine histology sections. Conclusions Diagnostic antibodies may have a workable half‐life in excess of 10 years, and the emphasis on performance should shift to the preservation of antigenic targets in the tissue.