[Optimization of the immunocytochemical detection of nestin in paraffin sections of the rat brain].

The aim of this study was to develop an optimal and easy protocol for immunocytochemical demonstration of nestin (an intermediate filament protein which is believed to be a neuronal stem cell marker) in paraffin sections of rat brain with target retrieval procedure being omitted for better preservation of the neural tissue structure. The influence of fixation, character of blocking of nonspecific antibody binding, temperature and time of incubation on the results of immunocytochemical reaction was studied. On the basis of the results obtained, we propose a processing protocol allowing distinct demonstration of nestin in rat brain cells together with the optimal preservation of the nervous tissue structure.