Induction of Aire mRNA in keratinocytes depends on the functional interaction between KRT17 and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein hnRNP K. Furthermore, KRT17 co-locates with Aire proteins in the nucleus of tumour keratinocytes, and each binds to specific promoter regions characterized by a common sequence of NF-κB in related subsets of KRT17 and Aire dependent pro-inflammatory genes. This evidence concerns the gene AIRE and neoplasm.