1986 Volume 77 Issue 6 Pages 878-885
Specimens obtained from 20 cases of human renal cell carcinomas were studied by immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies against intermediate filaments of cytokeratin and vimentin to detect the potential malignancy.
1) Cytokeratin has been demonstrated to localize in the tubular epithelia, while vimentin was found in interstitial cells in normal kidneys.
2) Anti-cytokeratin polypeptide of monoclonal type reacted with human renal carcinoma cells in 65%. However, anti-vimentin antibody was found in 75% of cancer cells and 65% of interstitial cells.
3) It was found that the more the degree of grading and invasiveness proceeded, the frequencies of these filaments became less prominent.
4) From the present study it is assumed that the demonstration of epithelial type of intermediate filaments would be a hallmark of progression and differentiation in human renal cell carcinoma.
