Distribution of immunoreactive transforming growth factor-alpha in non-neoplastic human salivary glands

• Ogbureke, K.U.E. ^[1] ; MacDaiel, R.K. ^[1] ; Jacob, R.S. ^[2] ; Durban, E.M. ^[1]
  1. [1] Department of Stomatology, Division of Oral Pathology, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Dental Brach
  2. [2] Department of Dental Ontology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 10, Nº. 3, 1995, págs. 691-696
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The distribution of immunoreactive transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-a) was studied in non-neoplastic human major and minor salivary glands using an immunoperoxidase assay in conjuction with an antiserum to human TGF-a. The ductal cell components of all major and minor salivary glands were found to contain significant amounts of TGF-a immunoreactivity. In contrast, acinar and myoepithelial cells consistently lacked immune reaction product in both types of glands. Occasionally, an asynchronous pattern of TGF-a ductal cell immunoreactivity was observed in specific ducts within a section. Also, intraductal secretions, when present, were found to contain TGF-a immunoreactive material. Ductal cells and connective tissue from salivary glands samples showing significant lymphocytic infiltration and loss of acinar cells exhibited higher levels of TGF-a immunoreactivity than normal salivary gland samples. These observations demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of TGF-a immunoreactivity in specific structural components of non-neoplastic human major and minor salivary glands. It will be important in future studies to determine whether alterations in TGF-a expression are detectable in diverse types of salivary gland tumors.