Expression of neuron-specific enolase, Leu-7, and neuropeptides in human fetal salivary gland epithelium.
The immunoreactivity of anti-neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and anti-Leu-7 on formalin-fixed sections of human fetal salivary gland epithelium was determined by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. In addition, expression of some neuropeptides such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin (SRIF), and substance P in the human salivary gland epithelium during the gestational period was observed, whereas the other polypeptides examined, including glucagon, cholecystokinin (CCK), Leu-enkephalin, and calcitonin were absent. NSE and Leu-7 immunoreactivity in the fetal salivary gland epithelium was observed solitarily or in groups commonly restricted to the developing duct epithelium. Positive immunoreactivity was observed in 46 cases with NSE (73%) and 44 cases with Leu-7 (70%) in 63 fetal salivary glands examined. In contrast, the incidence of positive cases stained with neuropeptides was lower than those of NSE and Leu-7 immunoreactivity in the human fetal salivary gland epithelium. These findings indicate that certain neuropolypeptides, as well as VIP, SRIF, and substance P present in the human fetal salivary gland epithelium may play a significant role in the development of the gland.
Hayashi
Y
Y
Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Japan.
Takemura
T
T
Hirokawa
K
K
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D018959:CD57 Antigens; D004848:Epithelium / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000032:analysis / Q000196:embryology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D018959:CD57 Antigens; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase