Keratin 6 Antibody LHK6 / Cytokeratin 6 Monoclonal Antibody [clone LHK6] (V2168)

Description

Keratin 6 Antibody LHK6 recognizes cytokeratin 6 (CK6), a group of closely related type II intermediate filament proteins associated with epithelial differentiation, keratinocyte activation, and tissue repair. The keratin 6 family includes KRT6A, KRT6B, and KRT6C, which share substantial sequence similarity and are encoded by neighboring genes on chromosome 12. These proteins contribute to the cytoskeletal framework that maintains epithelial cell integrity and supports resistance to mechanical stress. Keratin 6 expression is particularly associated with specialized stratified epithelia, including hair follicles, nail beds, and certain mucosal surfaces.

Unlike keratin 5, which is predominantly expressed in basal epithelial cells, keratin 6 is frequently induced in activated keratinocytes during wound healing and inflammatory responses. Keratin 6 proteins associate with type I keratins, particularly KRT16 and KRT17, to form intermediate filament networks that support cellular architecture. Following epithelial injury, increased KRT6 expression accompanies changes in keratinocyte behavior, including migration and proliferation. These responses contribute to restoration of epithelial integrity and make keratin 6 a useful marker for studying wound repair, epidermal regeneration, and tissue remodeling.

Keratin 6 is also widely investigated in epithelial tumor biology. Its expression is associated with squamous differentiation and is frequently detected in squamous cell carcinomas arising in the skin, lung, cervix, and head and neck. In pathology research, CK6 is often evaluated alongside CK5 and p63 to characterize squamous epithelial differentiation. Increased expression is also observed in hyperproliferative epidermal disorders such as psoriasis. Pathogenic variants in KRT6A and KRT6B are associated with pachyonychia congenita, an inherited disorder characterized by nail dystrophy, painful palmoplantar keratoderma, and abnormalities affecting other keratinized tissues.

NSJ Bioreagents offers mouse monoclonal clone LHK6, developed against a C-terminal peptide sequence of human keratin 6. The antibody has an established history of use in published research and provides an additional clone option for investigating CK6 expression. Because KRT6 family members are highly homologous, individual isoform recognition should not be assumed without specific validation. The Cytokeratin 6 Monoclonal Antibody supports research into epithelial differentiation, keratinocyte activation, and squamous tumor biology. A Keratin 6 Antibody such as LHK6 provides a useful reagent for examining cytokeratin expression in normal and diseased epithelial tissues.

Explore our protein microarray-validated Cytokeratin 6 Antibody KRT6A/2368 for investigating keratinocyte activation, squamous differentiation, and KRT6A expression in epithelial tissues.

Application Notes

The concentration stated for each application is a general starting point. Variations in protocols, secondaries and substrates may require the Keratin 6 Antibody LHK6 / Cytokeratin 6 Monoclonal Antibody to be titered up or down for optimal performance.

1. Staining of formalin/paraffin tissues is enhanced by digestion of tissue sections with pepsin at 1mg/ml Tris-HCl, pH 2 for 10-15 min at RT or pH 9 10mM Tris with 1mM EDTA for 20 min at RT.
2. The prediluted format is supplied in a dropper bottle and is optimized for use in IHC. After epitope retrieval step (if required), drip mAb solution onto the tissue section and incubate at RT for 30 min.

Immunogen

A synthetic peptide of 11 amino acids (GSSTIKYTTTS) from the C-terminus of human Cytokeratin 6 was used as the immunogen for this Keratin 6 Antibody LHK6.

Storage

Store the Keratin 6 Antibody LHK6 at 2-8oC (with azide) or aliquot and store at -20oC or colder (without azide).

Alternate Names

Cytokeratin 6 antibody, CK6 antibody, KRT6 antibody, Cytokeratin-6 antibody, Keratin Type II Cytoskeletal 6 antibody, Hyperproliferation-Associated Keratin antibody