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. 1983 May;80(9):2618–2622. doi: 10.1073/pnas.80.9.2618

Coexpression of keratin- and vimentin-type intermediate filaments in human metastatic carcinoma cells.

F C Ramaekers, D Haag, A Kant, O Moesker, P H Jap, G P Vooijs
PMCID: PMC393878  PMID: 6189127

Abstract

Metastatic tumor cells of epithelial origin present in effusions from human serous cavity fluids (ascites or pleural fluid) were examined for their intermediate-sized filament types by using antibodies to keratin, vimentin, and desmin in the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Solid epithelial tumors (both primary carcinomas and their metastases) contain keratin intermediate-sized filaments exclusively. However, when these cells are present in ascitic or pleural fluid, they also express vimentin, which occurs in a fibrillar organization. The possible effects of this additional, but temporary, cytoskeleton on metastatic growth or aggressiveness (or both) are discussed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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