Cytokeratin 15 is a 50kD (pI 4.9) intermediate filament polypeptide detected by immunofluorescence microscopy in basal cells of stratified epithelia (including epidermis, tongue, esophagus, exocervix) and complex stratified epithelia (e.g. broncheal epithelium), in luminal epithelia of mammary, salivary and sweat gland. In the hair follicle, staining was restricted to the outermost cell layer of the outer root sheath; within the hair follicle several cell layers of the hair follicle bulb were positive with this antibody. In human fetal tissues cytokeratin 15 was localized in basal cells of epidermis, lung, trachea, tracheal glands and esophagus. In fetal hair anlagen, all cells were positive with this antibody, suggesting that cytokeratin 15 is preferentially expressed in epithelial stem cells.
Applications
Suitable for use in Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications have not been tested.
Recommended Dilution
Western Blot: 1:2000 (ECL) Immunohistochemistry (frozen sections): 1:100-1:200; Incubation time-1 hr at RT. Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.
Reactivity on Cultured Cell Lines
Positive on HaCat and A-43 and negative on PLC.
Storage and Stability
May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for 12 months after receipt. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.
Immunogen
C-terminal tail region (including parts of the rod domain) of human recombinant cytokeratin 15.
Form
Supplied as a liquid, 0.5% BSA, 0.09% sodium azide.
Specificity
In tumors, this antibody is reactive with squamous skin and lung carcinomas and with a significant subgroup of invasive ductal breast carcinomas, especially tumors with higher grade malignancy (Heid, Bartek, Leube, Moll, Kaufmann & Franke). Completely unreactive were cells of liver, colon, kidney, urinary bladder, pancreas and lung alveolus. Species Crossreactivity: Human and mouse.