anti-Calcitonin-Related Polypeptide alpha (CALCA) antibody: Calcitonin is a 32-amino acid polypeptide hormone that is produced in humans primarily by C-cells located in the thyroid, and in many other animals in the ultimobranchial gland. It acts to reduce blood calcium (Ca2+), opposing the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH). It has been found in fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Its importance in humans has not been as well established as in other animals. Immunohistochemical staining with Calcitonin antibody has proven to be an effective way of demonstrating the existence of Calcitonin-producing cells in the thyroid. C-cell Hyperplasia and Medullary Thyroid Carcinomas stain positive for Calcitonin. Studies of Calcitonin have resulted in the identification of a wide spectrum of C-cell proliferative abnormalities. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a complex technique in which immunological and histological detection methods are combined. In general, the manipulation and processing of tissues before immunostaining, especially different types of tissue fixation and embedding, as well as the nature of the tissues themselves may cause inconsistent results (Nadji and Morales, 1983). Endogenous pseudoperoxidase and peroxidase activity or endogenous biotin and alkaline phosphatase activity can cause non-specific staining results depending on the detection system used. Tissues that contain Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) can produce false positives when using HRP detection systems (Omata et al, 1980). Insufficient contrast staining and/or improper mounting of the sample may influence the interpretation of results.
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