Pan CK Antibody C11 / Multi Cytokeratin Monoclonal Antibody [clone C11] (V2331)

Description

Pan CK Antibody C11 is a mouse monoclonal antibody recognizing seven cytokeratin proteins: CK4, CK5, CK6, CK8, CK10, CK13, and CK18. Cytokeratins are intermediate filament proteins that provide mechanical stability and maintain the structural organization of epithelial cells. They are classified into type I acidic and type II basic keratins, which assemble into heterodimers and subsequently form cytoplasmic filament networks. Because different epithelial tissues express characteristic combinations of keratins, antibodies recognizing multiple family members are valuable for identifying epithelial populations across diverse tissue types.

Clone C11 recognizes keratins associated with both simple and stratified epithelia. CK5 and CK6 are characteristic of basal and proliferative epithelial compartments, while CK4 and CK13 are associated with differentiated non-keratinized squamous epithelia. CK8 and CK18 are prominent in simple glandular epithelia, and CK10 is associated with suprabasal differentiation in keratinizing stratified epithelia. This recognition profile provides broad epithelial coverage through a single monoclonal antibody rather than a mixture of antibodies. However, C11 does not recognize every cytokeratin family member, making its defined target spectrum important when interpreting experimental results.

Broad-spectrum cytokeratin detection is widely used in cancer research to investigate epithelial tumor identity and distinguish carcinoma cells from surrounding stromal and inflammatory populations. Cytokeratin staining can reveal tumor nests, glandular structures, and epithelial cells dispersed within heterogeneous tissue specimens. Pan CK antibodies are also useful for studying epithelial differentiation, tissue remodeling, and changes in epithelial phenotype during tumor progression. In studies of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, altered cytokeratin expression may provide evidence of changing cellular characteristics, although additional markers are required to characterize these processes accurately.

NSJ Bioreagents offers Pan CK Antibody C11, developed using a keratin-enriched preparation from cultured human A431 cells. This established monoclonal antibody recognizes multiple cytokeratins while retaining the consistency associated with a single defined clone. Its broad reactivity supports epithelial cell identification in human, mouse, and rat samples. The Multi Cytokeratin Monoclonal Antibody provides a useful alternative to antibody cocktails for researchers investigating epithelial differentiation, carcinoma-associated keratin expression, and cellular organization. A Pan CK Antibody such as clone C11 offers broad cytokeratin recognition for examining epithelial populations across diverse experimental models.

Explore our widely cited Pan Cytokeratin Antibody AE1/AE3 cocktail for broad epithelial cell identification, carcinoma research, and detection of acidic and basic cytokeratins.

Application Notes

The concentration stated for each application is a general starting point. Variations in protocols, secondaries and substrates may require the Pan CK Antibody C11 / Multi Cytokeratin Monoclonal Antibody to be titered up or down for optimal performance.

1. Staining of formalin-fixed tissues requires boiling tissue sections in pH 9 10mM Tris with 1mM EDTA for 10-20 min followed by cooling at RT for 20 minutes.
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 keratin-enriched preparation from cultured human A431 was used as the immunogen for this Multi Cytokeratin antibody.

Storage

Store the Multi Cytokeratin antibody at 2-8oC (with azide) or aliquot and store at -20oC or colder (without azide).

Alternate Names

Pan Cytokeratin antibody, Pan Keratin antibody, Multi Cytokeratin antibody, Broad Spectrum Cytokeratin antibody, Epithelial Marker antibody, Cytokeratin Cocktail Alternative antibody