Cytokeratin LMW AE1 (AE1), MMab

Summary and Explanation

Cytokeratins are intermediate-filament keratins found in the intracytoplasmic cytoskeleton of epithelial tissue. There are two types of cytokeratins: the low-weight, acidic Type I cytokeratins and the high-weight, basic or neutral Type II cytokeratins. Cytokeratins are usually found in pairs comprising a Type I cytokeratin and a Type II cytokeratin. Expression of these cytokeratins is frequently organ or tissue-specific.

Cytokeratin LMW AE1 Antibody (Low Molecular Weight AE1) can recognize most acidic keratins, making it a broadly reactive antibody that stains most epithelia and their neoplasms. Members of the acidic and basic subfamilies are found in pairs. Each epithelium contains at least one acidic and one basic keratin so this antibody can show the distribution of keratin-containing cells in epithelia. Cytokeratin AE1 is particularly suited to distinguish poorly-differentiated Carcinomas from non-epithelial Neoplasms. This marker stains both normal and neoplastic cells of epithelial origin.