An immunohistochemical study of the distribution of ABH antigens in human submandibular glands at the light and electron microscopic levels.
The distribution of blood group antigens ABH in submandibular glands was studied at light and electron microscopy levels by applying ImmunoGold Silver Staining (IGSS) and post-embedding ImmunoGold (IGS) methods, respectively. In IGSS treated samples, a cytoplasmic and a surface form of antigen localization were discernible in the glandular parenchyma. The former was restricted to most mucous cells and to scattered serous cells: A and B antigens were demonstrated in mucous cells of A and B type glands, while H antigen appeared in most mucous and occasional serous elements regardless of the blood type of donors. The latter appeared as a strong H reactivity on cell surfaces of serous acini and ducts regardless of the patient blood type. The IGS method was applied both on non-osmicated samples embedded in LR White resin and on osmicated, Epon embedded samples. In non-osmicated tissues, antigen labelling was revealed in secretory granules and cell surfaces. Positive secretory granules were found in most mucous cells and occasional serous, intercalated, and striated duct cells. A and B antigens weakly reacted in mucous cells of A and B type glands, respectively, while strong H reactivity was seen in mucous, serous, intercalated and striated duct cells of glands of all types. Surfaces labelled with H antigen were found on both lumenal and basolateral membranes of striated ducts in glands of all types. IGS method applied on osmicated, Epon embedded samples, selectively revealed blood group antigens in secretory granules of serous cells but not in the apical vesicles of striated ductal cells. Cell surfaces were completely unreactive.
Cossu
M
M
Facoltà di Farmacia, Dipartimento di Citomorfologia, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
Floris
A
A
Lantini
M S
MS
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008875:Middle Aged; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System