Tonofibrils

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Tonofibrils are cytoplasmic protein structures in epithelial tissues that converge at desmosomes and hemidesmosomes. They are made of keratin (a type of intermediate filament in the cytoskeleton) tonofilaments. Tonofilaments are keratin intermediate filaments that make up tonofibrils in epithelial tissue. The protein filaggrin is believed to have an important role in holding them together as tonofibrils.

Tonofilaments are also associated with desmosomes (macula adherens), anchoring them to the cytoskeleton.