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KRT17 / Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 17 · IHC design guide
Design Immunohistochemistry for KRT17
Plan chromogenic KRT17 IHC in paraffin sections around the selective cytoplasmic and membranous tissue pattern (HPA tissue IHC). Use breast myoepithelial cells as a positive reference and adipose tissue adipocytes as a negative reference (HPA tissue IHC).
Evidence assembled Oct 2026 · For research use; verify linked source records and product datasheet before use
KRT17 Immunohistochemistry Experimental Design Guide
Expected localisation, validated protocols, controls and antibodies — the at-a-glance facts below, then the full design guide.
Must know before staining
| Expected localisation | Cytoplasmic and membranous (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Staining pattern | Selective cytoplasmic and membranous staining in squamous epithelia (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Antigen retrieval | EDTA pH 8.0 HIER, heat-mediated (datasheet M02289-1) | |
| Positive control | Breast+4 more · see all | |
| Negative control | Adipose tissue+4 more · see all |
Important caveats
Reasons your staining may differ from the expected pattern.
| Fixation | Keep fixation consistent across paraffin sections. (standard IHC practice; not target-specific) | |
| Caveat | Staining and RNA have medium consistency (HPA tissue IHC) | |
| Regulation | Expression varies by epithelial site (UniProt) | |
| Isoform / epitope | 0 isoforms; full-length cytoplasmic chain (UniProt) |
Section 1
Recommended KRT17 IHC & IF Protocols
The catalog antibody protocol is paired with published KRT17 IHC methods for oral lichen planus, cervical lesions, and colon adenocarcinoma (PMC11259633; PMC4026928; PMC8809968).
| Sample | Paraffin-embedded human bladder cancer tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet M02289-1) |
| Fixation | Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet M02289-1); verify before use. |
| Sectioning | 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard) |
| Deparaffinisation | Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard) |
| Antigen retrieval | Heat retrieval: EDTA pH 8.0 (datasheet M02289-1); 20 min, 95–100 °C (standard) |
| Peroxidase block | 3% H2O2, 10 min, room temperature (standard) |
| Blocking | 10% goat serum (datasheet M02289-1) |
| Primary antibody | Rabbit monoclonal (clone DIB-11) anti-KRT17, 1:50 recommended; image 1 μg/ml (datasheet M02289-1) |
| Primary incubation | Overnight at 4 °C (datasheet M02289-1) |
| Detection | HRP-conjugated secondary, DAB chromogen (datasheet M02289-1) |
| Counterstain | Hematoxylin, blue, dehydrate and mount (standard) |
| Expected result | KRT17-positive staining in myoepithelial cells of breast (HPA tissue IHC: High). HPA tissue profile: Selective cytoplasmic and membranous expression mainly in squamous epithelia, urinary bladder, salivary gland, breast, prostate and respiratory tract. No signal in the no-primary control. |
💡Decision noteStart with heat-mediated EDTA retrieval at pH 8.0 (datasheet M02289-1); citrate at pH 6.0 is a published alternative for cervical tissue (PMC4026928).
Section 2
What Is the Expected KRT17 Staining Pattern?
KRT17 is a cytoplasmic keratin that assembles into epithelial intermediate filaments and has no transmembrane segment (UniProt Q04695). In paraffin sections, expect selective staining of epithelial populations, including breast myoepithelial cells, skin sebaceous glands and urinary bladder urothelial cells (HPA: tissue IHC). HPA rates the tissue staining profile Enhanced, while noting medium consistency between antibody staining and RNA expression (HPA: tissue IHC).
| Selective cytoplasmic staining in breast myoepithelial cells, skin sebaceous glands or bladder urothelial cells. | This fits KRT17's intermediate filament location (UniProt Q04695; HPA: subcellular IF). HPA reports High staining in these named populations (HPA: tissue IHC). Score the relevant cells and their cytoplasmic signal, rather than treating every cell in a positive tissue as positive (general IHC practice). |
| Predominantly nuclear staining, with little staining in the expected epithelial cells. | A nuclear dominant pattern conflicts with KRT17's cytoplasmic location and HPA's intermediate filament assignment (UniProt Q04695; HPA: subcellular IF). Treat it as suspect; compare a known positive section, a negative reagent control and the antibody's validation images before interpreting it as KRT17 (general IHC practice). |
| Strong signal in adipocytes or bone marrow hematopoietic cells, especially when expected epithelial staining is absent. | HPA reports KRT17 as Not detected in those cell populations (HPA: tissue IHC). Consider antibody cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity; check a negative reagent control and whether staining follows tissue structures independently of the primary antibody (general IHC practice). |
| Diffuse color across epithelium, stroma and empty areas of the section. | A broad, poorly localized deposit does not resemble HPA's selective tissue profile (HPA: tissue IHC). It can arise from nonspecific binding, insufficient washing or detection background (general IHC practice). Judge the section against a control processed with the same detection reagents (general IHC practice). |
| No signal in a breast myoepithelial or bladder urothelial positive control. | HPA reports High staining in these cells (HPA: tissue IHC). If tissue identity and cell preservation are sound, review primary antibody use, retrieval conditions and detection performance before calling the specimen negative (general IHC practice). HPA's Enhanced profile still has medium RNA–staining consistency (HPA: tissue IHC). |
💡Expected KRT17 appearanceCall a result positive when the appropriate epithelial cells show selective cytoplasmic staining, potentially with an apparent membranous component, as described by HPA; High signal is reported for breast myoepithelial cells, skin sebaceous glands and bladder urothelial cells, whereas nuclear dominant or widespread cell independent color is suspect (HPA: tissue IHC; UniProt Q04695; general IHC practice).
| Cell population and tissue context (HPA: tissue IHC). | High staining is reported in breast myoepithelial cells, prostate and salivary gland glandular cells, skin sebaceous glands and bladder urothelial cells; respiratory epithelial cells in bronchus and nasopharynx are Medium (HPA: tissue IHC). Select and score the named population, since a tissue label alone does not specify which cells should stain (general IHC practice). |
| Compartment and filament architecture (UniProt Q04695; HPA: subcellular IF). | KRT17 is cytoplasmic, lacks a transmembrane segment and contains an intermediate filament rod; HPA localizes it to intermediate filaments in ICC-IF (UniProt Q04695; HPA: subcellular IF). HPA's tissue summary also describes cytoplasmic and membranous expression, so an apparent cell edge component alone is not a reason to reject otherwise selective epithelial staining (HPA: tissue IHC). |
| Evidence and antibody validation (HPA: tissue IHC; HPA: antibodies). | The HPA tissue profile is Enhanced but has medium consistency with RNA expression (HPA: tissue IHC). HPA lists IHC validation as Enhanced for HPA000453, HPA045062 and CAB000029, and Supported for HPA000452 (HPA: antibodies). Check the actual primary antibody's IHC validation before extending these observations to it (general IHC practice). |
| Apparent tissue disagreement (UniProt Q04695; HPA: tissue IHC). | UniProt reports expression in exocervix, while HPA reports Not detected in the sampled cervix squamous epithelial cells (UniProt Q04695; HPA: tissue IHC). Preserve the sampled cell and tissue context when interpreting this difference; neither entry establishes that every cervical section must stain (general IHC practice). |
| IF/ICC Q&A: What pattern should microscopy show? | An intermediate filament pattern is expected in cells that express KRT17 (HPA: subcellular IF; UniProt Q04695). HPA reports Enhanced ICC validation for HPA000453 and HPA045062 (HPA: antibodies). IF/ICC imaging supports localization, but its result should be interpreted separately from chromogenic paraffin section staining (general IHC practice). |
| Situation | Likely cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| A known positive epithelial control has no color. | Primary antibody, retrieval or detection may have failed (general IHC practice). HPA reports High staining in breast myoepithelial and bladder urothelial cells (HPA: tissue IHC). | Confirm the expected cells are present, then check antibody application, the catalog antibody's IHC-P instructions, retrieval conditions and detection controls (general IHC practice). Avoid assigning a target specific fixation effect without supporting evidence. |
| The section shows only nuclear color. | This conflicts with cytoplasmic and intermediate filament localization (UniProt Q04695; HPA: subcellular IF). Background or an unrelated target is possible (general IHC practice). | Compare the positive tissue pattern and a negative reagent control; reassess specificity before scoring nuclear staining as KRT17 (general IHC practice). |
| Color appears in HPA negative cell populations. | Adipocytes and bone marrow hematopoietic cells are Not detected in HPA tissue IHC; cross-reactivity or endogenous detection activity may explain color there (HPA: tissue IHC; general IHC practice). | Run a control without primary antibody and inspect the detection chemistry for endogenous activity; verify that the intended epithelial cells stain selectively (general IHC practice). |
| The entire section has diffuse chromogen. | Nonspecific binding, excess reagent or inadequate washing can obscure a selective pattern (general IHC practice). | Review blocking, primary antibody concentration, washing and chromogen development against matched controls; retain conditions that preserve the selective epithelial pattern (general IHC practice; HPA: tissue IHC). |
| A bronchial section stains less strongly than a breast control. | HPA reports Medium staining in bronchial respiratory epithelial cells and High staining in breast myoepithelial cells (HPA: tissue IHC). | Score each named cell population against its own expected level and a matched control; do not use the breast intensity as a universal threshold (HPA: tissue IHC; general IHC practice). |
| A cervical section is negative despite a positive control elsewhere. | HPA reports cervix squamous epithelial cells as Not detected, while UniProt reports expression in exocervix (HPA: tissue IHC; UniProt Q04695). | Record the sampled region and cell type, confirm the control worked, and report the observed result with both source specific expectations rather than treating either entry as universal (general IHC practice; HPA: tissue IHC; UniProt Q04695). |
Experiment evidence
IHC & IF images showing KRT17 staining
M02289-1 · IHCIHC analysis of Cytokeratin 17 using anti-Cytokeratin 17 antibody (M02289-1). Cytokeratin 17 was detected in a paraffin-embedded section of
M02289-1 · IHCIHC analysis of Cytokeratin 17 using anti-Cytokeratin 17 antibody (M02289-1). Cytokeratin 17 was detected in a paraffin-embedded section of
M02289-1 · IFIF analysis of Cytokeratin-17 using anti-Cytokeratin-17 antibody (M02289-1). Cytokeratin-17 was detected in a paraffin-embedded section of h
HPA · Cerebral cortexHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Cerebral cortex. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000128422-KRT17/tissue/cerebral+cortex#imid_19278343
HPA · ColonHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Colon. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000128422-KRT17/tissue/colon#imid_19312143
HPA · LiverHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Liver. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000128422-KRT17/tissue/liver#imid_19312117
HPA · KidneyHuman Protein Atlas IHC, Kidney. Source: https://www.proteinatlas.org/ENSG00000128422-KRT17/tissue/kidney#imid_19300595
HPA · ICC-IF A-431Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, A-431, antibody HPA045062; green = KRT17, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
HPA · ICC-IF A-431Human Protein Atlas immunofluorescence, A-431, antibody HPA045062; green = KRT17, blue = nucleus, red = microtubules.
← swipe / scroll for more images →
Real IHC / IF data behind the staining-pattern expectations in this section.
Sample controls for KRT17 IHC & IF
🧪Run breast first: myoepithelial cells should show KRT17 staining (HPA: High in breast myoepithelial cells). Use adipose tissue as the negative tissue (HPA: Not detected in adipocytes); on the breast slide, adjacent stromal cells should provide a local background reference without the myoepithelial staining pattern (standard IHC interpretation).
Positive control tissue: Breast (Myoepithelial cells, HPA High)
Negative control tissue: Adipose tissue (HPA Not detected)
ICC-IF cell lines (HPA subcellular resource): HPA ICC-IF images show KRT17 in A-431, U2OS, hTCEpi, HaCaT, SiHa, with annotated localisation: Intermediate filaments (enhanced) (HPA subcellular).
Technical controls: Include a no-primary (secondary-only) control, concentration-matched rabbit IgG isotype control, and a KRT17 knockout specimen if available (standard IHC specificity controls; caption: rabbit primary). For breast DAB staining, quench endogenous peroxidase and inspect the no-primary slide for residual background (standard chromogenic IHC practice).
⚠️Feasibility: A target-specific fixation window or fixation effect is unreported, and the selected M02289-1 tissue-IHC caption does not state the fixative (caption: fixative unreported). The paraffin-section example used heat retrieval in EDTA at pH 8.0, but it does not establish that retrieval is required or that frozen sections or IF are easier (caption: heat retrieval in EDTA; HPA: ICC-IF images available). In breast sections, score the myoepithelial layer against adjacent background and check for peroxidase-derived staining before interpreting DAB signal (HPA: High in breast myoepithelial cells; standard chromogenic IHC practice).
HPA tissue IHC evidence for KRT17
Comprehensive Human Protein Atlas IHC scoring per tissue (reliability: Enhanced — Medium consistency between antibody staining and RNA expression data. Antibody staining in cells/structures not annotated, view images.). Rows are taken directly from the HPA tissue chart — click any row's HPA link to view the source.
Positive expression · recommended positive controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast | Myoepithelial cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Prostate | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Salivary gland | Glandular cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Skin | Sebaceous glands | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Urinary bladder | Urothelial cells | High | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Undetected expression · recommended negative controls
| Tissue | Cell type | Level | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adipose tissue | Adipocytes | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Adrenal gland | Glandular cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Appendix | Glandular cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Bone marrow | Hematopoietic cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
| Caudate | Glial cells | Not detected | Protein (IHC) | HPA → |
Section 3
Advanced KRT17 IHC Tips
Troubleshoot KRT17 staining in paraffin sections by checking retrieval, tissue context, cytoplasmic pattern, and controls before interpreting chromogenic signal.
Which retrieval conditions should I try first when KRT17 staining is weak?
Start with heat mediated retrieval in EDTA at pH 8.0 (datasheet M02289-1). The catalog antibody detected KRT17 in a paraffin section of human bladder cancer after that retrieval, followed by 1 μg/ml primary antibody overnight at 4°C (datasheet M02289-1). If staining remains weak, compare retrieval duration on adjacent sections while holding antibody concentration and detection constant (general IHC practice). Check that improved signal has a cytoplasmic filament pattern in appropriate epithelial cells (HPA: intermediate filaments; HPA: selective expression in squamous epithelia and urinary bladder). Excessively harsh retrieval can damage section morphology, so assess staining and tissue preservation together (general IHC practice).
How should I troubleshoot variable KRT17 staining between paraffin blocks?
The selected tissue caption describes a paraffin section but does not state its fixative; target specific fixation sensitivity is therefore unknown (datasheet M02289-1: fixative unreported). Record the fixation method and duration for each block before attributing differences to KRT17 biology (general IHC practice). Process comparison sections with the same EDTA pH 8.0 retrieval and detection workflow used for the catalog antibody (datasheet M02289-1). Include a concurrently stained positive epithelial control and inspect morphology, section adhesion, and staining depth (general IHC practice). If blocks differ, compare matched tissue regions before changing retrieval or antibody concentration (general IHC practice).
What staining pattern should count as convincing KRT17 signal?
Look for cytoplasmic staining compatible with a filament network in epithelial cells (UniProt Q04695: cytoplasm and keratin intermediate filaments; HPA: intermediate filament localisation). KRT17 has no transmembrane segment, although the tissue atlas describes some staining as membranous (UniProt Q04695: topology; HPA: tissue IHC profile). Examine high power fields to decide whether an apparent membrane rim belongs to a connected cytoplasmic pattern (general IHC practice). Compare expected compartments across adjacent epithelial cells and a positive control on the same run (general IHC practice). An isolated nuclear or diffuse extracellular signal lacks support from the supplied localisation evidence and warrants a control review (UniProt Q04695: cytoplasm; HPA: intermediate filaments).
Could isoforms or epitope masking explain discordant KRT17 staining?
The supplied KRT17 record lists 0 isoforms and a single chain spanning residues 1–432, so isoform choice does not explain discordance in this record (UniProt Q04695: isoforms and processing). Its intermediate filament rod spans residues 84–395, and listed modified residues include phosphoserines at 12, 13, 25, 32, and 39 (UniProt Q04695: domains and modified residues). The selected caption does not identify the antibody epitope, so no specific modification can be blamed for masking it (datasheet M02289-1: epitope unreported). Recheck retrieval, morphology, and control staining before proposing an epitope effect (general IHC practice).
How can I use IF to investigate an ambiguous KRT17 IHC pattern?
Use IF as a complementary localisation check and multiplex KRT17 with a marker that identifies the epithelial cell population under study (general IF practice; UniProt Q04695: epithelial keratinocytes). Choose fluorophores after checking unstained tissue autofluorescence, reserving a cleaner channel for the weaker signal (general IF practice). Permeabilise cells to reach KRT17 on the cytoplasmic side, since the protein has no transmembrane segment and localises to intermediate filaments (UniProt Q04695: topology; HPA: intermediate filaments). Include single stain and secondary only controls to assess channel bleed through and nonspecific signal (general IF practice). Compare the cellular pattern with chromogenic IHC, keeping the applications' processing conditions distinct (general IF/IHC practice).
What should I check when KRT17 DAB staining looks widespread?
Inspect a no primary control for secondary reagent background and endogenous peroxidase signal before calling widespread DAB positive (general chromogenic IHC practice). The catalog image used 10% goat serum block, 1 μg/ml primary antibody overnight at 4°C, and DAB development (datasheet M02289-1). Apply a peroxidase block and check wash adequacy as general workflow controls, then compare adjacent sections under matched development conditions (general chromogenic IHC practice). KRT17 signal should be judged in its epithelial and cytoplasmic context (UniProt Q04695: cytoplasm and epithelial keratinocytes). Diffuse staining outside cells or across unrelated tissue structures should prompt review of reagent background and tissue damage (general IHC practice).
How should I score heterogeneous KRT17 staining in a tissue section? ⚠ ANSWER MARKED FOR VERIFICATION
Define the epithelial compartment and regions to score before examining staining intensity (general IHC scoring practice; UniProt Q04695: epithelial keratinocytes). Report the percentage of positive epithelial cells and, if intensity is reproducible, an H-score calculated from the percentages at each intensity grade (general IHC scoring practice). For spatial questions, report positive cell density per mm² of evaluable epithelial area rather than total section area (general IHC scoring practice). Keep retrieval, DAB development, imaging, and positivity thresholds consistent across cases (general IHC scoring practice). Annotate excluded necrotic or damaged regions and assess expected cytoplasmic signal separately from background (general IHC scoring practice; UniProt Q04695: cytoplasm).
How can I distinguish true KRT17 positivity from staining artefacts?
Favor staining within the cytoplasm of plausible epithelial cells, with a filament compatible pattern (UniProt Q04695: cytoplasm and epithelial keratinocytes; HPA: intermediate filaments). Compare cell identity with reference patterns, such as high staining in bladder urothelial cells and breast myoepithelial cells, while allowing tissue context to guide interpretation (HPA: tissue IHC). Treat isolated nuclear signal, staining concentrated at section edges, and signal in necrotic zones as reasons to review artefact controls (UniProt Q04695: cytoplasm; general IHC practice). Check a no primary section for endogenous enzyme or detection background before interpreting DAB deposits (general chromogenic IHC practice). Confirm uncertain areas on serial sections with preserved morphology (general IHC practice).
Boster reagents
Best KRT17 / Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 17 IHC Antibodies
The IHC-validated antibody has paraffin-section images from human bladder and breast cancer tissue; IF images cover human bladder and lung cancer tissue and HeLa cells (catalog image captions).
Real IHC data
Anti-Cytokeratin 17 Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody
Cat # M02289-1
The rendered card is M02289-1, with IHC images from paraffin-embedded human bladder and breast cancer sections (M02289-1 IHC captions). M02289-1 also has IF images from paraffin-embedded human bladder and lung cancer sections and an IF image of HeLa cells (M02289-1 IF captions).
Which to pick: For tissue IHC, pick M02289-1: it is a rabbit monoclonal with paraffin-section IHC images; the captions do not report the fixative (catalog; M02289-1 IHC captions). For IF/ICC, M02289-1 lists both applications and has tissue IF images plus a HeLa-cell IF image (catalog; M02289-1 IF captions). For human, mouse or rat samples, both M02289-1 and the rabbit polyclonal A02289-1 list reactivity, but only M02289-1 has supplied IHC and IF images (catalog).
Each figure is that product's own IHC / IF validation image from its datasheet.
References
- UniProt Consortium. UniProt entry Q04695 (K1C17_HUMAN, Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 17).
- Human Protein Atlas. KRT17 tissue IHC expression (reliability: Enhanced).
- Human Protein Atlas. KRT17 subcellular location (ICC-IF): Localized to the intermediate filaments..
- Human Protein Atlas. KRT17 antibody validation summary (5 antibodies).
- Keratin 17 Is Induced in Oral Cancer and Facilitates Tumor Growth. PloS one 2016 — PMC4981360.
- Increased expression of keratin 17 in oral lichen planus and its correlation with disease severity. Journal of dental sciences 2024 — PMC11259633.
- Keratin 17 in premalignant and malignant squamous lesions of the cervix: proteomic discovery and immunohistochemical validation as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc 2014 — PMC4026928.
- Keratin 17 upregulation promotes cell metastasis and angiogenesis in colon adenocarcinoma. Bioengineered 2021 — PMC8809968.
- PubMed PMID:1281771 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:1372562 — UniProt-cited evidence.
- PubMed PMID:14702039 — UniProt-cited evidence.
Immunohistochemistry protocol sheet for KRT17 (Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 17). Expected localisation Cytoplasmic and membranous (HPA tissue IHC). Antigen retrieval: EDTA pH 8.0 HIER, heat-mediated (datasheet M02289-1). Validated IHC antibody: M02289-1 at 1:50 recommended; image 1 μg/ml (the product's own IHC validation image is shown). Controls (HPA): positive Breast (Myoepithelial cells); negative Adipose tissue. IHC-P workflow on paraffin sections; fixative unspecified. Protocol steps: 1. Sample: Paraffin-embedded human bladder cancer tissue; fixative not specified (datasheet M02289-1); 2. Fixation: Image fixative and duration unreported (datasheet M02289-1); verify before use.; 3. Sectioning: 4–5 µm sections on charged slides (standard); 4. Deparaffinisation: Xylene, graded ethanol series to water (standard); 5. Antigen retrieval: Heat retrieval: EDTA pH 8.0 (datasheet M02289-1); 20 min, 95–100 °C (standard); 6. Peroxidase block: 3% H2O2, 10 min , room temperature (standard); 7. Blocking: 10% goat serum (datasheet M02289-1); 8. Primary antibody: Rabbit monoclonal (clone DIB-11) anti-KRT17, 1:50 recommended; image 1 μg/ml (datasheet M02289-1); 9. Primary incubation: Overnight at 4 °C (datasheet M02289-1). Watch for: Fixation: Keep fixation consistent across paraffin sections. (standard IHC practice; not target-specific); Caveat: Staining and RNA have medium consistency (HPA tissue IHC); Isoform / epitope: 0 isoforms; full-length cytoplasmic chain (UniProt); Regulation: Expression varies by epithelial site (UniProt). Evidence: UniProt Q04695, HPA tissue IHC · Enhanced, HPA ICC-IF · intermediate filaments., Datasheet M02289-1, PMC11259633, PMC4026928. QR code links to https://www.bosterbio.com/bosterbio-gene-info-cards/KRT17/immunohistochemistry-ihc-guide.