Cytokeratins in Intracranial and Intraspinal Tissues

This book summarises current immunomorphological data of cytokeratin detection in the various cell types of intracranial and intraspinal tissues.The methodical problems of their detection are discussed as well as the interspecies variability in the expression of intermediate filaments. Together with the microtubuli and the microfilaments, intermediate filament proteins represent the main constituents of the vertebrate cell cytoskeleton. The review specifically focuses on the most up-to-date material concerning cytokeratin expression inselected neutoectodermal tissues, for which only sparse results exist. Essential information on the latest findings in this field coupled with new experimental data by the author are provided in this volume. Chapters review methodical aspects and problems in the evaluation of filament proteins by immunocytochemistry and explore the relationship of cytokeratin expression to cellular differentiation. Also discussed are: function of intermediate filaments; species differences in the expression during ontogeny; and pathologic alteration of tissues and tumor development.