Vimentin

Immunohistochemical staining for Vimentin is also characteristic of sarcomas (of neural, muscle and fibroblast origin) compared to carcinomas which are generally negative. Melanomas, lymphomas and vascular tumors may all stain for Vimentin. Vimentin antibodies are thus of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms and malignant tumors.

Vimentin protein is found in the eye lens and cornea, and found in mesenchymal tissues in adult mammals. In the CNS, it is found in endothelia cells and developing neurons, developing and some mature astrocytes, microglia, mature Bergmann glia and ependymal. Vimentin antibodies are useful in studying stem cells.