Coexpression of Vimentin and Cytokeratins in Human Melanoma Cell Lines

Abstract—Molecular heterogeneity in seven human metastatic melanoma cells lines is revealed using a double immunofluorescent assay by flow cytometry. It is evaluated that quite a small population of cells (up to 10%) expressed only vimentin, the main marker of melanoma. Only epithelial cytokeratins expression is revealed in a significantly greater number of cells (from 25 to 50%). The dominant molecular phenotype (50–80% cells expressed both markers), the coexpression of vimentin and cytokeratins, is identified for the first time. The authors assume that the latter phenotype of melanoma cells may be a molecular marker of the tumor’s aggressiveness and metastatic potential.