title: Cytokeratin 17 and p63 are markers of the HPV target cell, the cervical stem cell.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basic research on HPV has focused on identifying the genetic changes that lead to cervical carcinoma. However, while focusing on the molecular biology of the cancer, understanding of its cellular biology has lagged: the target cell of the HPV infection is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we identified the stem cell population of the cervical epithelium by monoclonal antibodies against p63, a homologue of the tumor suppressor gene p53 and cytokeratin 17 (CK17).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We noted p63 expression consistently in the nuclei of reserve cells, hyperplasia of the reserve cells and the basal layer of the ectocervical epithelium, while CK17 only stained endocervical reserve cells and reserve cell hyperplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that both p63 and CK17 are suitable markers for cervical stem cell identification. Both markers, therefore, qualify for the identification of the HPV target cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Deventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands. martensj@dz.nl
authors.forename: Jolise E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: Janwillem
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arends
authors.forename: Paul J Q
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Van der Linden
authors.forename: Bert A G
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: De Boer
authors.forename: Theo J M
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Helmerhorst
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C081876:CKAP4 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D007633:Keratins