Cytokeratins are a group of proteins expressed in pairs in keratinized and non-keratinized epithelial tissue. Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) belongs to the type II (or B or basic) subfamily of high molecular weight cytokeratins and exists in combination with cytokeratin 18 (CK18). The pair are normally seen in simple but not stratified epithelial cells. This antibody cocktail recognizes all simple epithelia including glandular epithelium, for example thyroid, female breast, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and urogenital tract including transitional epithelium. All adenocarcinomas and most squamous carcinomas are positive but keratinizing squamous carcinomas are usually negative. Immunohistochemical staining with this antibody cocktail is indistinguishable from that obtained with monoclonal antibody 5D3.

Store the Cytokeratin 8/18 antibody cocktail at 2-8°C (with azide) or aliquot and store at -20°C or colder (without azide).