[The location of keratins 17 and 8 in the metaplastic proliferates of the endocervix].

Monoclonal antibodies to keratin 8 which is characteristic for glandular epithelium and those to keratin 17 characteristic of basal cells of complex epithelium were used. Material from 14 females after surgery because of ovarian tumours and uterine carcinoma and from 10 females with dysplasias of various degree and uterine carcinoma was investigated. In addition, ectocervix of vaginal portion at a distance from the point of two epithelia junction was studied in 42 samples. It is shown that keratins 8 and 17 are expressed in the ectocervix sporadically and have a basal location. Keratin 8 is expressed in column epithelium of the areas having normal structure of endocervix. Proliferation of subcolumn reserve cells is followed by an active expression of keratin 17. Proliferative multilayer areas with foci of the immature metaplasia, dysplasias and carcinoma in situ are characterized by cells with coexpression of both keratins, i.e. cells with double differentiation (glandular and squamous).