View source for Keratins

In pathology, '''keratins''', also '''cytokeratins''', refers to a set of [[immunostain]]s that mark intermediate filaments that are characteristic of epithelial cells, and cancers derived from epithelial cells ([[carcinoma]]s).

''Keratin'' when used in singular may refer to ''[[pankeratin]]''.

==Classification==
Divided by molecular weight:<ref>[http://www.nordiqc.org/Epitopes/Cytokeratins/cytokeratins.htm http://www.nordiqc.org/Epitopes/Cytokeratins/cytokeratins.htm]</ref>
*Low molecular weight keratins (LMWK): [[CK7|7]], 8/18, [[CK19|19]], [[CK20|20]]. 
*High molecular weight keratins (HWMK): 4, 10, 13, 14, 17.

==Uses==
*CK8 ([[CAM5.2]])<ref name=pmid7508102>{{cite journal |author=Murata T, Nakashima Y, Takeuchi M, Sueishi K, Inomata H |title=The diagnostic use of low molecular weight keratin expression in sebaceous carcinoma |journal=Pathol. Res. Pract. |volume=189 |issue=8 |pages=888–93 |year=1993 |month=September |pmid=7508102 |doi= |url=}}</ref> - used to look for mets from breast cancer in axillary lymph nodes.
*HWMK (e.g. K903<ref>URL: [http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/2003978.jsp http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/2003978.jsp]. Accessed on: 17 March 2011.</ref>) - [[squamous cell carcinoma]].

==Sarcomas and keratins==
*Most sarcomas are cytokeratin negative.

Classic exceptions:
*[[Angiosarcoma]], epithelioid.
*[[Synovial sarcoma]].
*[[Chordoma]].
*[[Desmoplastic small round cell tumour]].
*[[Epithelioid sarcoma]].

Others:
*[[Leiomyosarcoma]].

==See also==
*[[Immunohistochemistry]].
*[[Pankeratin]].

==References==
{{Reflist|1}}

[[Category:Immunohistochemistry]]