What is the role of cytokeratins in cell identification?

Cytokeratins are a type of intermediate filament protein that are primarily found in epithelial cells, and they play a crucial role in the structural integrity and function of these cells. Their primary significance in cytology lies in their ability to assist in differentiating between various cell types. Specifically, cytokeratins are used as markers to help identify squamous differentiation. This is particularly important in diagnostic pathology, where recognizing the type of cell and its differentiation status can provide essential information about the nature of a tissue or lesion.

Different epithelial cells express specific cytokeratins, making them useful in identifying the origin of a tumor or other pathological conditions. For instance, certain cytokeratins may be abundant in squamous epithelial cells, while others may be more prevalent in glandular or transitional epithelia. This specificity aids pathologists in diagnosing conditions like carcinomas based on the expression profiles of various cytokeratins.

While cytokeratins do play a role in providing structural support, this function is not their primary identifying characteristic in cytology. Additionally, they are not directly involved in metabolic functions or indicating the presence of pathogens, which further emphasizes their specific role in cell identification and differentiation in the context of epithelial tissues.