Cytokeratin 19 (CK19), also known as Keratin 19, is a type I intermediate filament protein encoded by the KRT19 gene located on chromosome 17q21.2 in humans . It is a member of the keratin family, which is responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells. Unlike other cytokeratins, CK19 is not paired with a type II keratin, making it unique in its structure and function .
CK19 is primarily expressed in epithelial cells and plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural stability of these cells. It is involved in various cellular processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis . CK19 is commonly found in the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and various glandular tissues .
CK19 has significant clinical implications, particularly as a biomarker for various cancers. The soluble fragment of CK19, known as CYFRA 21-1, is used as a tumor marker for lung, breast, stomach, pancreas, and ovarian cancers . Elevated levels of CYFRA 21-1 in the blood can indicate the presence of these cancers and are often used in diagnostic and prognostic evaluations .
Mouse anti-human CK19 antibodies are monoclonal antibodies developed in mice to target and bind specifically to human CK19. These antibodies are widely used in research and clinical diagnostics to detect CK19 expression in tissue samples. They are particularly useful in immunohistochemistry (IHC) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for identifying CK19-positive cells in various cancer tissues .