Review of selected lineage-directed antibodies useful in routinely processed tissues

This review discusses several commonly used lineage-directed antibodies, including those to cytokeratins, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilaments, desmin, actin, leukocyte common antigen, and melanoma-specific antigen. Discussion is particularly directed to issues of antibody sensitivity and specificity, with several confusing and/or potentially beneficial examples of cross-lineage antigenic co-expression cited. The value of using limited panels composed of antibodies with complementary specificities is also emphasized.