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Table 1. Cytokeratins - Moll types in normal cells

Cell Types


 

CK (No.)

   Neutral-Basic (B, II):

   Acidic (A, I):



1
 

10



4                 

           13



5                

                14





17





19

7





20



8

18

Stratified squamous epithelia



 

Keratinizing (interfollicular) epidermis, suprabasal cells

Non-keratinizing (mucosa), intermediate and superficial cells

Basal cells

+++
 


+


-

-              -


+++         +++


-              -

+             ++


+             ++


+++         +++

-1


-


-

-


-


(++)2

-


-


-

-


-


-

-


-


-

Transitional epithelium
 

Superficial cells

Basal and intermediate cells

-

-

-              -

(+)3        +++

-              -

(+++)3         -    

-

(++)3

+++

+++

+++

+++

++

(+)4

+++

+++

Mesothelium

Mesothelial cells

-

-              -

++          ++

+++

Complex epithelia




 

Bronchus, breast, salivary and sweat glands, prostate uterine endocervix:

  Basal and myoepithelial cells

  Luminal cells





-

-





-              -

-              -





+++          ++

+              +





+++

+





++

+++





-

+++





-

-





-

+++

Simple epithelia









 

Bilary and pancreatic ducts, lung alveoli, endometrium, renal collecting ducts

Stomach (foveolar epithelium), small and large intestine

Hepatocytes, pancreatic acini, proximal renal tubules

Endocrine glands, neuroendocrine cells
-



-


-


-
-              -



-              -


-              -


-              -
-              -



-              -


-              -


-              -
-



-


-


-
+++



+++


-


(+++)6
+++



(+)5


-


(++)7
-



+++


-


(+++)6
+++



+++


+++


+++

Non-epithelial cells

Some smooth muscle cells8, myofibroblasts, arachnoid, some endothelial cells

-

-              -

-              -

-

+

(++)9

-

++
+++ : Widespread occurrence, large amounts;  ++ : Varying distribution, moderate amounts;  + : Limited occurrence, sparse amounts;
- : No occurrence;  () : Occurrence limited to certain cell types.

Staining patterns divergent to those indicated in the table may be seen, depending on antibodies, antigen retrieval and visualization methods. In some of these cases, cross reactivity due to e g. formalin-induced denaturation of epitopes may be suspected.

1 CK17 may be detected in palmoplantar and hyperproliferative epidermis, Haarscheiben (touch domes) epidermis and outer root sheath of hair follicles.
2 Basal cells in mucosa but not in skin.
3 Mainly basal cells.
4 Some intermediate cells, depending on a highly sensitive system.
5 Mainly stomach.
6 Some endocrine cells, particularly Merkel cells of skin and mouth, and taste bud epithelium.
7 Some endocrine cells, particularly thyreoid gland follicles.
8 Particularly vascular wall and myometrium.
9 Endothelial cells, particularly of small blood vessels, and myointimal cells.

CKs not included in the table: CK2, CK11 and CK9 (keratinizing squamous epithelium, CK9 in palms and soles only), CK3 and CK12 (cornea, CK15 (complex epithelial, basal layer of stratified squamous epithelia), CK6 and CK16 (mainly in non-cornifying stratified squamous epithelia, outer root sheath of hair follicles, diseased epidermis).
MV/AS

Last update 30-10-2003