Immunodetection of keratin proteins in oral epithelial neoplasms

Immunoperoxidase technique was used as an adjunct to routine Haematoxylin and Eosin Staining to assess the pattern of distribution and intensity of Keratin in Oral epithelial neoplasms. The specimens of papillomas, verrucous carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were studied. The broadly reactive polyclonal antikeratin antibodies were reacted with formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections. The staining of keratin proteins was found to be dependent upon the degree of differentiation of the tumour. It was observed that the pattern of keratin distribution was regular in papillomas while it was disturbed in verrucous carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.