Vimentin [MD207R]

Anti-vimentin is of limited value as a diagnostic tool; however, when used in combination with other antibodies (in panels) it is useful for the subclassification of a given tumor. Expression of vimentin, when used in conjunction with anti-keratin, is helpful when distinguishing melanomas from undifferentiated carcinomas and large cell lymphomas. All melanomas and Schwannomas react strongly with anti-vimentin. This antibody recognizes a 57 kD intermediate filament. It labels a variety of mesenchymal cells, including melanocytes, lymphocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Non-reactivity of anti-vimentin is often considered more useful than its positive reactivity, since there are a few tumors that do not contain vimentin, e.g. hepatoma and seminoma. Anti-vimentin is also useful as a tissue process control reagent.