Cytokeratin 17 (CK17) is a type of intermediate filament protein that is part of the cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of cells and is involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. CK17 is encoded by the KRT17 gene and is primarily expressed in the basal cells of complex epithelia.
CK17 is typically found in the basal cells of complex epithelia but is not present in stratified or simple epithelia. It is expressed in various epithelial cells, including those in the bronchial epithelium and skin appendages. CK17 is considered a marker of basal cell differentiation and is often used to distinguish myoepithelial cells from luminal epithelium in glands such as mammary, sweat, and salivary glands .
CK17 expression is associated with several types of cancers, including small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC). In TNBC, CK17 expression is linked to an aggressive clinical course. Additionally, CK17, along with other markers like MUC1, is used to define the pancreatobiliary subtype of cancers .
Mouse anti-human CK17 antibodies are monoclonal antibodies developed to target and bind specifically to human CK17. These antibodies are used in various scientific applications, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, immunocytochemistry (ICC), flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). They are valuable tools in research and diagnostic settings for detecting CK17 expression in tissue samples .