Mouse Monoclonal CK5 Antibody

Cytokeratin 5 (CK5), a member of the intermediate filament protein family, is primarily expressed in basal epithelial cells of various tissues, including the skin, mammary glands, prostate, and stratified squamous epithelia. As a type II acidic keratin, it pairs with type I keratins (e.g., CK14) to form structural scaffolds that maintain cellular integrity and regulate differentiation. CK5 is a key marker for identifying basal/myoepithelial cells in normal tissues and neoplasms. In pathology, CK5 antibodies are widely used to distinguish basal-like breast cancers (often triple-negative) from luminal subtypes, as well as to diagnose squamous cell carcinomas or transitional cell carcinomas. Its expression is associated with stem-like properties and poor prognosis in certain cancers. Commercially available CK5 antibodies (e.g., clones XM26. D4/1B4) are employed in immunohistochemistry, aiding in tumor subtyping and differential diagnosis. Research also explores its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and therapeutic resistance. CK5's specificity makes it valuable in studying tissue regeneration, carcinogenesis, and cellular plasticity.