Repeat Brn3a immunolabeling rescues faded staining and improves detection of retinal ganglion cells

Abstract

Immunofluorescence is used in numerous research areas including eye research to detect specific antigens in cells and tissues. One limitation is that fluorescent signal can fade, causing detection problems if data recording was not completed in a timely manner or if additional data acquisition is required. The ability to repeat immunostaining for the same antigen after initial fluorescence has faded may require time-consuming and potentially damaging steps to remove primary antibodies. Our studies assessed whether immunofluorescence could be reapplied to previously labeled retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). To examine whether immunostaining of Brn3a, a commonly used RGC marker, could be repeated in retinas with previously faded immunostaining, retinal whole mounts were labeled with anti-Brn3a primary antibodies and green fluorescent secondary antibodies, then allowed to fade over time. Faded retinas were restained with anti-Brn3a antibody followed by secondary antibody, or with secondary antibody alone. Results show restaining with anti-Brn3a primary antibody followed by Alexa-fluor green secondary antibody is effective for RGC detection. Repeat RGC labeling improved the clarity of staining compared with original staining prior to fading, with significant reduction in the percentage of blurry/out of focus fluorescent cells (6 vs 26%); whereas, repeat application of secondary antibody alone was not effective. Preflattening retinas under a coverslip prior to initial Brn3a staining also increased the clarity of staining, and facilitated significantly more accurate automated counting of RGCs. Findings suggest Brn3a antigen remains accessible for repeat immunofluorescence labeling after original staining fades. Staining retinas after flattening tissue may enhance the clarity of staining and accuracy of automated RGC counting. Repeat immunofluorescence staining, without the need to strip off prior bound antibodies, may be useful in other tissues as well and warrants future examination.