A cytoskeletal preparation from human HeLa cells was used as the immunogen for this Cytokeratin 7/17 antibody.
It recognizes intermediate filament proteins (IFPs) of 55kDa and 46kDa, which are identified as Cytokeratin 7 and Cytokeratin 17 respectively. On formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded sections, C-46 reacts with Keratin 7 only. Cytokeratins comprise a diverse group of intermediate filament proteins (IFPs) that are expressed as pairs in both keratinized and non-keratinized epithelial tissue. Cytokeratins play a critical role in differentiation and tissue specialization and function to maintain the overall structural integrity of epithelial cells. Cytokeratins have been found to be useful markers of tissue differentiation, which is directly applicable to the characterization of malignant tumors. Cytokeratin 7 is a basic cytokeratin, which is found in most glandular and transitional epithelia but not in the stratified squamous epithelia. Cytokeratin 7 is expressed in the epithelial cells of ovary, lung, and breast but not of colon, prostate, or gastrointestinal tract. Cytokeratin 17 is expressed in epithelial cells of various origins, such as bronchial epithelial cells and skin appendages. Cytokeratin 17 antibody marks basal cell differentiation.
