This MAb reacts with a 58 kDa protein identified as vimentin. It shows no cross-reaction with other closely related intermediate filament proteins (IFP's) such as desmin, keratin, neurofilament, and glial fibrillary acid protein.Anti-vimentin alone is of limited value as a diagnostic tool; however, when used in panels with other antibodies, it is useful for the sub-classification 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. 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.

Primary antibodies are available purified, or with a selection of fluorescent CF® dyes and other labels. CF® dyes offer exceptional brightness and photostability. See the CF® Dye Brochure for more information. Note: Conjugates of blue fluorescent dyes like CF®405S and CF®405M are not recommended for detecting low abundance targets, because blue dyes have lower fluorescence and can give higher non-specific background than other dye colors.

 Catalog number key for antibody number 0452, Anti-Vimentin (VM452)