CYTOKERATINS, AN ANCIENT BUT PRECIOUS TOOL TO STUDY NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL TISSUES

Abstract: Immunohistochemistry derives from the cross-talk between immunology and histology. It allows to identify the expression of several antigens expressed in normal and pathological tissues by the use of specific mono- or polyclonal antibodies. Among the different types of antibodies available, the ones specific for cytokeratins represent a valid tool for immunohistochemical investigations in a wide range of neoplastic or non-neoplastic conditions. Cytokeratins are important cytoskeletal components present in a great variety of tissues. These molecules are currently distinguished on the basis of their molecular weight and there 1s a close correlation between a cytotype and the expression of specific cytokeratins. The expression of some cytokeratins in many pathological tissues is of remarkable help in interpretparticularly complex cases and in ing cases with similar histological pictures, and this may lead to better defined and detailed diagnoses and then to design more specific targeted therapies. Given the sig. nificant implications of the use of these molecules, with regard either to histopathological diagnosis or clinics, their knowledge and correct interpretation should not be an exclusive barrier between pathologists and clinicians, but a common shared matter of dialogue, in order to obtain improved results in terms of prognosis and therapeutical approaches.
On this purpose, we defined the principal morphofunctional characteristics of the most commonly employed cytokeratines in histological examinations, in order to supply clinicians with clear and simple key element to interpret the diagnoses that need of their use.