I did not see the original post that led to this reply so my response my be out of context.
 
protease digestion will have a decidely destructive effect if used on fresh frozen, unfixed tissues , as the peptides comprising cytoskeleton and intermediate filaments will be destroyed, leading to a resultant loss of histologic detail and probably section loss from the slide.
 
epitope retrieval methods are intended for use on tissues that have been fixed ,and therefore protected from the harsh treatment these methods require. why would one need to retrieve if epitopes were not previously masked by fixative action?
 
 
 
Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309
Charleston, SC 29425
Ph: 843-792-6353
fax: 843-792-8974

>>> <DDittus787@aol.com> 07/16/01 02:50PM >>>
On frozen tissue you may want to try a protease digestion instead of hi 
target retrieval.                                   Dana 
>>><DDittus787@aol.com> 07/16/01 02:50PM >>>
On frozen tissue you may want to try a protease digest