Specificity
Cytokeratin 5 is a basic protein that is closely related to cytokeratin 6. They share similar tissue distribution and are found in various proportions in many non-keratinizing stratified squamous epithelia eg. tongue mucosa, as well as in basal epithelia of trachea, basal cells of epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands of skin, luminal cells of the mammary gland, basal cells of prostate, urothelium, vagina and endocervical mucosa. Cytokeratins 5 and 6 are also expressed in basal cell epitheliomas, squamous cell carcinomas of skin, tongue, epiglottis and of the rectal-anal region. Cytokeratin 56 is a useful aid for classification of epithelioid mesotheliomas.
