Cytokeratin Antigens

Cytokeratin is a structural protein found in epithelial cells, essential for maintaining cellular integrity and function. As a member of the intermediate filament family, cytokeratins provide mechanical support and play a role in cell signaling and differentiation. Their tissue-specific expression makes them crucial biomarkers for cancer diagnostics, especially in identifying epithelial tumors. Cytokeratin profiling is commonly used in immunohistochemistry for detecting cancerous cells and determining tumor origin, making it an invaluable tool in cancer pathology and oncology research.