Summary

Abstract

The intermediate filament distribution pattern in cells and tissues of vertebrates reflects their differentiation or functional specialization state, their histogenesis, and their malignant transformation. In the case of cytokeratins, the characteristic epithelial intermediate filaments representing a complex group of about 30 polypeptides, extensive attention has been given to their expression in diverse epithelial and epithelioid cells. However, little is known about their distribution during fetal development and in neuroectodermal cells. This review specifically focuses on the data concerning cytokeratin expression in intracranial and intraspinal tissues, as expressed alone or as coexpressed with other intermediate filament proteins. Furthermore, the expression pattern of individual cytokeratin polypeptides was investigated by immunocytochemistry in diverse human and animal tissues using a broad panel of monoclonal antibodies.KeywordsIntermediate FilamentChoroid PlexusCiliary BodyEpendymal CellIntermediate Filament ProteinThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.