Cytokeratin 1/5/6/8 Antibodies

Target Information

Cytokeratins are a subclass of intermediate filament proteins that play a crucial role in the structural integrity and function of epithelial cells. They are grouped based on their molecular weight and isoelectric points into Type I (acidic) and Type II (basic to neutral) cytokeratins. Cytokeratin 1 (CK1) and Cytokeratin 5 (CK5) are primarily expressed in the basal layer of stratified epithelia, contributing to the mechanical stability and resilience of the tissue. CK5 is often co-expressed with CK14, marking basal cell populations, while CK6 is an inducible cytokeratin found in proliferative and regenerative epidermis, often co-expressed with CK16 and CK17. In the context of carcinomas, CK5/6 expression is utilized as a marker for squamous cell carcinomas and other squamous variants. Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) is a Type II cytokeratin that partners with Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and is predominantly found in simple epithelial cells, playing a key role in the cytoskeletal organization and intracellular signaling pathways. The diagnostic utility of these cytokeratin's lies in their tissue-specific expression patterns, which are exploited in immunohistochemistry to differentiate between various types of epithelial carcinomas.