Keratin is a major class of intermediate filaments in epithelial cells, and comprises a group of at least 20 different multigene-derived proteins. It is expressed in different epithelia with specific combinations. The materials for this study
consisted
of chronic cervicitis, reserve cell hyperplasias, squamous metaplasias. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, squamous cell carcinomas, and adenocarcinomas. All cases were performed by immunohistochemical stains for panel of monoclonal
cytokerain(CK)
antibodies. Also, some cases were examined by immunoelectron microscopy.
The basal cells of exocervix were positively stained for CK 5/6, 8, 14, 18 and 19. The intermediate and superficial cells of exocervix were positive for CK 1, 5/6, 7, 8, 13 and 18. The endocervical columnar cells were positive for CK 7, 8, 18 and
19.
The reserve cells were positively stained for CK5/6, 8, 14, 18 and 19. The metaplastic cells were positively stained for CK 1, 5/6, 7, 8, 10 and 18. The dysplastic cells were positively stained for CK 5/6, 10, 13, 14, 18 and 19. The keratinizing
squamous cells carcinomas were positively stained for CK 1, 5/6, 10, 13, 14 and 19. The adenocarcinomas were positively stained for CK 5/6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 18 and 19.
In conclusion, individual normal epithelial cells and numerous tumor cells of the uterine cervix have two or more different subtypes of keratin. Keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas show similar staining pattern to those of reserve cells or
basal
cells. The cytokeratin subtypes of dysplastic cells are similar to those of nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinomas.
|