Immunohistochemical localization of a genetically engineered human anti - keratin antibody in keratinocytes

Objective: To explore the immunoreactive localization of a genetically engineered human antibody (GEHA) against keratin in keratinocytes. Methods: The specific anti - keratin Fab was previously cloned from a phage antibody library. After being expressed and characterized, the antibodies of different concentration were added to cultured keratinocytes, and the immunoreactive localization in keratinocytes was identified by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy at different times, taking some other keratinocytes were cultured with a GEHA against HBsAg and 1 % BSA as control. Results: Bright green fluorescence was seen in cytoplasm of keratinocytes cultured with the anti- keratin GEHA. Stains of the keratinocytes were relatively homogeneously. No bright green fluorescence was seen in nuclear of keratinocytes. And no bright green fluorescence was seen in keratinocytes cultured with a GEHA against HBsAg and 1% BSA. Conclusion: The anti - keratin GEHA can penetrate into the cytoplasm of cultured keratinocytes and its immunoreactivity was localized only in cytoplasm. The exploration may lay a role for its clinical application.