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LIPE / Hormone-sensitive lipase · IHC design guide
Design Immunohistochemistry for LIPE
Plan LIPE chromogenic IHC on paraffin sections using adipocytes as a high-staining reference (HPA tissue IHC). This guide covers fixation, controls and interpretation of staining, with cytosol, caveolae and lipid droplets as molecular localisation expectations (UniProt).
Evidence assembled Oct 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
LIPE Immunohistochemistry Experimental Design Guide
Expected localisation, validated protocols, controls and antibodies — the at-a-glance facts below, then the full design guide.
Must know before staining
| Expected localisation | Cytosol, caveolae and lipid droplets (UniProt) | |
| Staining pattern | High staining in adipocytes; compartment unspecified (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Antigen retrieval | Citrate pH 6.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: cytoplasmic / membrane antigen) | |
| Positive control | Adipose tissue+4 more · see all | |
| Negative control | Adrenal gland+4 more · see all |
Important caveats
Reasons your staining may differ from the expected pattern.
| Fixation | Keep fixation consistent across sections (standard IHC practice; not target-specific); Matched tissue-IHC evidence does not establish the fixation claim. Validate the specimen-specific method before use. (selected-SKU IHC image A06762) | |
| Caveat | Presumed off-target staining was observed and disregarded (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Regulation | Insulin shifts LIPE from caveolae to cytoplasm (UniProt) | |
| Isoform / epitope | 2 isoforms; epitope differences are unspecified (UniProt) |
Section 1
Recommended LIPE IHC & IF Protocols
Compare the catalog antibody’s IHC-P protocol with the published LIPE IHC protocol for mouse sciatic nerve (PMC9893521).
| Sample | Tissue sections; selected-image fixative not specified (standard IHC workflow) |
| Fixation | Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A06762); verify before use. |
| Sectioning | 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard) |
| Deparaffinisation | Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard) |
| Antigen retrieval | Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer, pH 6.0, 20 min at 95–98 °C (standard rule: cytoplasmic / membrane antigen) |
| Peroxidase block | 3% H2O2, 10 min, room temperature (standard) |
| Blocking | 10% normal serum of the secondary host, 30 min, room temperature (standard) |
| Primary antibody | Rabbit anti-LIPE, 2.5 μg/mL (datasheet A06762) |
| Primary incubation | Overnight at 4 °C (standard) |
| Detection | HRP-polymer secondary, DAB chromogen 5–10 min (standard) |
| Counterstain | Hematoxylin, blue, dehydrate and mount (standard) |
| Expected result | LIPE-positive staining in adipocytes of adipose tissue (HPA tissue IHC: High). HPA tissue profile: High expression in adipocytes. No signal in the no-primary control. |
💡Decision noteStart with citrate pH 6.0 retrieval at 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval rule: cytoplasmic/membrane antigen). The article does not specify retrieval (PMC9893521).
Section 2
What Is the Expected LIPE Staining Pattern?
LIPE is found in the cytosol, at caveolae and on lipid droplets, with no annotated transmembrane segment (UniProt Q05469). In paraffin-section IHC, expect high staining in adipocytes and elongated or late spermatids; intestinal endocrine cells show medium staining (HPA tissue IHC). HPA rates the tissue profile Enhanced, while noting medium consistency with RNA data and presumed off-target binding that was disregarded (HPA tissue IHC).
| Strong staining in adipocytes in adipose tissue or breast, with a predominantly cytoplasmic distribution. | This fits the high adipocyte signal reported in both tissues (HPA tissue IHC). Cytosolic localization is supported by ICC-IF, while UniProt also places LIPE at caveolae and lipid droplets (HPA subcellular; UniProt Q05469). Do not require a sharply defined droplet rim to call a paraffin-section result positive. |
| Strong staining in elongated or late spermatids in testis, or moderate staining in intestinal endocrine cells. | These match distinct reported cell populations: high signal in elongated or late spermatids, and medium signal in endocrine cells of the appendix, colon, duodenum, rectum and small intestine (HPA tissue IHC). Compare the stained cells with the section's morphology before scoring intensity. |
| Predominantly nuclear staining, or a pattern confined to another compartment across the positive cells. | Reassess specificity: supported ICC-IF localization is cytosolic, and UniProt lists cytosol, caveolae and lipid droplets for LIPE (HPA subcellular; UniProt Q05469). An unexpected compartment is a warning sign, though it does not alone identify the artefact or prove every stained cell negative. |
| Strong signal in unrelated cell populations, including cells listed as not detected in HPA tissue IHC. | Consider cross-reactivity or endogenous chromogen-generating activity; use a no-primary control and review cell identity (general IHC practice). HPA reports presumed off-target binding despite its Enhanced tissue reliability rating (HPA tissue IHC). A single unexpected positive cell type needs corroboration before assignment to LIPE. |
| No convincing staining in adipocytes of an otherwise intact adipose tissue section. | This conflicts with HPA's high adipocyte staining and makes a technical failure or an unsuitable antibody application worth checking (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice). Verify tissue preservation, retrieval and detection controls before interpreting absence as biological; HPA does not provide LIPE-specific fixation sensitivity. |
💡Expected LIPE appearanceCall a section positive when identifiable adipocytes show strong, mainly cytoplasmic staining (HPA tissue IHC; HPA subcellular); isolated nuclear or widespread unrelated-cell signal warrants specificity checks rather than a LIPE call (HPA subcellular; HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice).
| Cell identity and reference tissue | Adipocytes in adipose tissue and breast, and elongated or late spermatids in testis, are high-staining references (HPA tissue IHC). Endocrine cells in the listed intestinal tissues have medium signal (HPA tissue IHC); avoid judging them against an adipocyte-level threshold. |
| Compartment and topology | Cytosol is the supported ICC-IF location; UniProt also lists caveolae and lipid droplets and annotates no transmembrane segment (HPA subcellular; UniProt Q05469). Interpret a cytoplasmic pattern in the appropriate cells without requiring membrane-only staining. |
| Evidence and antibody choice | The tissue profile is Enhanced but has medium agreement with RNA and notes disregarded presumed off-target binding (HPA tissue IHC). CAB017700 has Enhanced IHC validation; HPA006567 lists Supported ICC validation but no IHC status in this payload (HPA antibodies). |
| Isoforms and modified residues | UniProt lists two isoforms and several phosphoserines for LIPE (UniProt Q05469). Neither record identifies the IHC antibody's epitope or shows that these features change paraffin-section staining; do not infer an isoform-specific or phosphorylation-specific pattern. |
| IF/ICC Q: What localization is expected? | A: Cytosolic staining is supported by HPA ICC-IF, with images listed for RT-4, SH-SY5Y and U2OS (HPA subcellular). UniProt also lists caveolae and lipid droplets (UniProt Q05469). This localization answer does not establish an IF/ICC protocol for the IHC application. |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Positive adipose tissue has no adipocyte signal. | The result disagrees with HPA's high adipocyte staining; a failed retrieval or detection step is possible (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice). | Check a known-positive section and run-level detection controls, then review retrieval against the catalog antibody's IHC instructions (general IHC practice). Do not assume a LIPE-specific fixation effect. |
| Staining is weak in the expected adipocytes. | Weak signal can reflect a general IHC sensitivity issue; HPA reports high adipocyte signal but supplies no LIPE-specific retrieval or fixation response (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice). | Confirm adipocyte morphology, antibody application, retrieval and detection performance with controls before changing the interpretation threshold (general IHC practice). |
| Broad brown haze obscures cell boundaries. | Nonspecific binding, incomplete blocking or detection background can obscure a cellular pattern (general IHC practice). | Compare a no-primary control; review blocking, washes and chromogen development, then score only interpretable cells (general IHC practice). |
| Unexpected nuclear staining dominates. | This differs from supported cytosolic localization and may indicate nonspecific staining or misread morphology (HPA subcellular; general IHC practice). | Check the counterstain and a no-primary control, then compare with cytoplasmic staining in a known-positive tissue (general IHC practice; HPA tissue IHC). |
| Cells outside the expected populations stain strongly. | Cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity is possible; HPA notes presumed off-target binding in its tissue assessment (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice). | Identify the cells morphologically, inspect a no-primary control and corroborate an unexpected population independently before reporting LIPE positivity (general IHC practice). |
| A reported HPA-negative cell population stains. | HPA lists several cell populations as not detected, including adrenal glandular cells and bone-marrow hematopoietic cells (HPA tissue IHC). Unexpected staining alone does not establish its source. | Check the exact cell type and controls; treat a discordant result as unresolved until independently corroborated (HPA tissue IHC; general IHC practice). |
Experiment evidence
IHC & IF images showing LIPE staining
A06762 · IHCImmunohistochemistry of lipe in human lymph node tissue with lipe antibody at 2.5 μg/mL.
A06762 · IFImmunofluorescence of Lipe in Human Lymph Node cells with Lipe antibody at 20 μg/mL.
HPA · Cerebral cortexHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Cerebral cortex. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000079435-LIPE/tissue/cerebral+cortex#imid_16241183
HPA · ColonHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Colon. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000079435-LIPE/tissue/colon#imid_16241117
HPA · LiverHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Liver. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000079435-LIPE/tissue/liver#imid_16241110
HPA · KidneyHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Kidney. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000079435-LIPE/tissue/kidney#imid_16241119
HPA · ICC-IF RT-4Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, RT-4, antibody HPA006567; green = LIPE, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
HPA · ICC-IF RT-4Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, RT-4, antibody HPA006567; green = LIPE, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real IHC / IF data behind the staining-pattern expectations in this section.
Sample controls for LIPE IHC & IF
🧪Run adipose tissue first and require staining in adipocytes (HPA: High in adipocytes in adipose tissue); use bronchus respiratory epithelial cells as a negative tissue comparator (HPA: Not detected in respiratory epithelial cells). On the positive slide, nonadipocyte areas should show little or no specific signal relative to adipocytes; assess these areas by morphology rather than assuming every cell is negative (HPA: High in adipocytes in adipose tissue).
Positive control tissue: Adipose tissue (Adipocytes, HPA High)
Negative control tissue: Adrenal gland (HPA Not detected)
ICC-IF cell lines (HPA subcellular resource): HPA ICC-IF images show LIPE in RT-4, SH-SY5Y, U2OS, with annotated localisation: Cytosol (supported) (HPA subcellular).
Technical controls: Include a no-primary secondary-only control, an irrelevant immunoglobulin control matched to the primary antibody’s host species and class (and clonality where applicable), and matched LIPE-knockout material as a biological specificity control (standard IHC practice). For adipose sections, block endogenous peroxidase before chromogenic detection and inspect background around lipid vacuoles (standard IHC practice).
⚠️Feasibility: A target-specific fixation window or fixation effect and any retrieval dependency are unreported in the supplied evidence; the selected A06762 tissue-IHC caption also does not report a fixative (selected-SKU caption: fixative not stated). Frozen-section or IF preparation cannot be ranked as easier from these data, although cytosolic localization is supported by ICC-IF evidence (HPA subcellular: Cytosol supported). In adipose sections, lipid extraction can leave empty vacuoles, so assess staining in the thin adipocyte cytoplasm (standard IHC practice).
HPA tissue IHC evidence for LIPE
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue (reliability: Enhanced — Medium consistency between antibody staining and RNA expression data. Presumed off target binding observed and disregarded.). Rows are taken directly from the HPA tissue chart — click any row's HPA link to view the source.
Positive expression · recommended positive controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adipose tissue | Adipocytes | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Breast | Adipocytes | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Testis | Elongated or late spermatids | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Appendix | Endocrine cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Colon | Endocrine cells | Medium | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Undetected expression · recommended negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrenal gland | Glandular cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bone marrow | Hematopoietic cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bronchus | Respiratory epithelial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Caudate | Glial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Cerebellum | Cells in granular layer | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Section 3
Advanced LIPE IHC Tips
Troubleshoot LIPE staining in paraffin sections by checking retrieval, cell type, cytoplasmic localisation and controls before comparing signal intensity.
What retrieval conditions should I start with for LIPE in paraffin sections?
Use citrate buffer at pH 6.0 for heat-induced retrieval at 95–98 °C for 20 min (page retrieval rule). Let sections cool in buffer, then wash with PBS before blocking; keep heating and cooling conditions identical across comparison slides (standard IHC practice). If staining is weak, compare a longer citrate retrieval on adjacent sections while checking whether tissue structure and negative controls remain acceptable (standard IHC practice). Judge any gain in adipocytes alongside known staining in elongated or late spermatids, rather than by stronger colour alone (HPA: High in adipocytes and elongated or late spermatids).
How should I troubleshoot weak LIPE staining when fixation history varies?
Target-specific LIPE sensitivity to fixation is unknown from the supplied evidence, so do not infer it from expression patterns or protein features (supplied evidence; UniProt Q05469). Record fixative, fixation duration and processing history for each paraffin block, then compare sections processed together under the page’s citrate pH 6.0, 95–98 °C, 20 min retrieval condition (page retrieval rule; standard IHC practice). If one block stains weakly, inspect tissue preservation and include a positive control in the same run (standard IHC practice). Treat a negative result from a block with unknown fixation history as inconclusive until controls and repeat sections behave consistently (standard IHC practice).
Which cellular staining pattern supports a LIPE-positive IHC result?
Expect predominantly cytoplasmic staining, with possible association near lipid droplets or the cell membrane, including caveolae (HPA subcellular: supported cytosol; UniProt Q05469 localisation). LIPE has no annotated transmembrane segment, so a sharp continuous membrane outline without cytoplasmic signal warrants scrutiny rather than automatic acceptance (UniProt Q05469 topology; standard IHC interpretation). Assess staining in morphologically identified adipocytes and elongated or late spermatids, where tissue IHC reports high expression (HPA tissue IHC). Compare adjacent sections at the same magnification and chromogen development time, and check whether the candidate signal persists away from folds and section edges (standard IHC practice).
Could isoforms or phosphorylation explain inconsistent LIPE staining?
LIPE has 2 annotated isoforms and several annotated phosphoserines, including residues 853, 855, 897, 929 and 950 (UniProt Q05469). The supplied evidence does not map the catalog antibody’s epitope, so it cannot establish which isoforms or phosphorylation states the IHC signal detects (supplied antibody evidence; UniProt Q05469). Compare matched sections using the same citrate pH 6.0 retrieval and identical antibody conditions before attributing a staining difference to protein processing (page retrieval rule; standard IHC practice). If an epitope map becomes available, check whether it spans an isoform-specific region or a modified residue before interpreting discordant samples (standard antibody validation practice).
How can I check LIPE localisation in a separate IF/ICC experiment?
In IF/ICC, pair LIPE with a separately validated adipocyte marker and score overlap within identified cells, since adipocytes show high tissue IHC expression (HPA tissue IHC; standard IF practice). Choose spectrally separated fluorophores and favour a far-red channel when tissue autofluorescence obscures shorter wavelengths; include single-stain and unstained controls (standard IF practice). LIPE is reported in the cytosol and at lipid droplets and caveolae, without an annotated transmembrane segment, so optimise permeabilisation for access to intracellular epitopes (HPA subcellular; UniProt Q05469 topology and localisation; standard IF practice). Check each channel separately, then inspect overlays for bleed-through before calling colocalisation (standard IF practice).
What should I change when LIPE IHC shows diffuse brown background?
Compare the stained section with a no-primary control processed through the same secondary reagent and DAB development time (standard chromogenic IHC practice). Block endogenous peroxidase before HRP detection, wash between steps and inspect whether excess chromogen appears at folds, cut edges or damaged tissue (standard chromogenic IHC practice). If background remains widespread, titrate the primary antibody downward from the image-caption concentration of 2.5 µg/mL on matched sections, without treating that caption as a universal working concentration (A06762 tissue-IHC caption; standard IHC optimisation). Require the signal-to-background ratio in adipocytes to improve before accepting the adjustment (HPA: High in adipocytes; standard IHC practice).
How should I quantify LIPE staining across paraffin sections? ⚠ ANSWER MARKED FOR VERIFICATION
Define the cell population and tissue region before scoring, then record the percentage of positive cells and staining intensity using an H-score or a prespecified equivalent (standard IHC quantification practice). For adipose tissue, normalise positive counts to the number of evaluable adipocytes, or report positive-cell density per mm² of evaluable tissue when cell counts are impractical (HPA: High in adipocytes; standard IHC quantification practice). Keep section thickness, retrieval, imaging settings and DAB development comparable across samples (standard IHC practice). Exclude folds, necrosis and section edges by the same documented rule for every slide, and report control performance with the scores (standard IHC quantification practice).
How do I distinguish genuine LIPE staining from artefact?
A credible result has cell-resolved cytoplasmic signal in expected cells, particularly adipocytes or elongated or late spermatids (HPA subcellular: supported cytosol; HPA tissue IHC: High in those cells). Diffuse nuclear-only colour, staining confined to tissue edges or necrotic areas, and colour retained in a no-primary control should prompt an artefact check (HPA subcellular; standard IHC interpretation). Compare positive and negative control sections after the same 20 min citrate retrieval, peroxidase block and DAB development (page retrieval rule; standard chromogenic IHC practice). Interpret weak or unexpected staining cautiously because the HPA profile notes presumed off-target binding and only medium consistency with RNA data (HPA: Enhanced reliability description).
Boster reagents
Best LIPE / Hormone-sensitive lipase IHC Antibodies
A06762 has IHC data from human lymph node tissue and IF data from human lymph node cells; Human, Mouse and Rat are listed as reactive species (A06762 image captions; catalog reactivity).
Real IHC data
Anti-Hormone-sensitive lipase Lipe Antibody
Cat # A06762
A06762 is the only SKU with a rendered card; its IHC image shows human lymph node tissue at 2.5 μg/mL (A06762 IHC image caption). Its IF image shows human lymph node cells at 20 μg/mL (A06762 IF image caption).
Which to pick: Choose A06762 for paraffin-section IHC: IHC-P is listed, and its own IHC image shows human lymph node tissue; the fixative is unreported (A06762 applications; A06762 IHC image caption). Choose A06762 for IF/ICC evaluation because IF is listed and its own IF image shows human lymph node cells (A06762 applications; A06762 IF image caption). For Mouse or Rat samples, both A06762 and the monoclonal P06762-1 list reactivity, but the supplied images demonstrate only human samples, and P06762-1 has no supplied IHC image (catalog reactivity; image captions; P06762-1 clone and image fields).
Each figure is that product's own IHC / IF validation image from its datasheet.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry Q05469 (LIPS_HUMAN, Hormone-sensitive lipase).
- Human Protein Atlas. LIPE tissue IHC expression (reliability: Enhanced).
- Human Protein Atlas. LIPE subcellular location (ICC-IF): Localized to the cytosol..
- Human Protein Atlas. LIPE antibody validation summary (2 antibodies).
- Forward genetic screening using fundus spot scale identifies an essential role for Lipe in murine retinal homeostasis. Communications biology 2023 — PMC10192353.
- Identification of Adipogenesis Subgroups and Immune Infiltration Characteristics in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Journal of immunology research 2023 — PMC9893521.
- PubMed PMID:8506334 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:8812477 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:15489334 — UniProt-cited evidence.
Immunohistochemistry protocol sheet for LIPE (Hormone-sensitive lipase). Expected localisation Cytosol, caveolae and lipid droplets (UniProt). Antigen retrieval: Citrate pH 6.0 HIER, 95–98 °C, 20 min (rule: cytoplasmic / membrane antigen). Validated IHC antibody: A06762 at 2.5 μg/mL (the product's own IHC validation image is shown). Controls (HPA): positive Adipose tissue (Adipocytes); negative Adrenal gland. IHC workflow; specimen preparation unspecified. Protocol steps: 1. Sample: Tissue sections; selected-image fixative not specified (standard IHC workflow); 2. Fixation: Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet A06762); verify before use.; 3. Sectioning: 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard); 4. Deparaffinisation: Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard); 5. Antigen retrieval: Heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer, pH 6.0 , 20 min at 95–98 °C…; 6. Peroxidase block: 3% H2O2, 10 min , room temperature (standard); 7. Blocking: 10% normal serum of the secondary host, 30 min , room temperature (standard); 8. Primary antibody: Rabbit anti-LIPE, 2.5 μg/mL (datasheet A06762); 9. Primary incubation: Overnight at 4 °C (standard). Watch for: Fixation: Keep fixation consistent across sections (standard IHC practice; not target-specific); Matched tissue-IHC evidence does not establish the fixation claim. Validate the specimen-specific method before use. (selected-SKU IHC image A06762); Caveat: Presumed off-target staining was observed and disregarded (HPA tissue IHC); Isoform / epitope: 2 isoforms; epitope differences are unspecified (UniProt); Regulation: Insulin shifts LIPE from caveolae to cytoplasm (UniProt). Evidence: UniProt Q05469, HPA tissue IHC · Enhanced, HPA ICC-IF · cytosol., Datasheet A06762, PMC9893521. QR code links to https://www.bosterbio.com/bosterbio-gene-info-cards/LIPE/immunohistochemistry-ihc-guide.