Seromucous cells in human sublingual glands: examination by immunocytochemistry of lysozyme.
This study examined the occurrence and morphological features of serous-type cells in human sublingual gland, using immunocytochemistry for lysozyme. Lysozyme-positive cells usually formed demilunes and occasionally their own acini. They were also found among cells of an intercalated duct and in its immature acinus consisting of a small number of secretory cells. All these serous cells could be classified as seromucous cells because they simultaneously revealed reactivity for mucus, i.e., a periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and a periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate (PA-TCHSP) reaction under the light- and electron-microscope, respectively. Immunogold labeling of lysozyme in the seromucous cells was distributed on variously sized secretory granules. These usually possessed a single electron-dense spherule in an electron-lucent matrix, while granules of a homogenous structure were also present. Lysozyme-positive cells filled with large, lucent secretory granules could hardly be morphologically distinguished from the lysozyme-negative mucous cells; they corresponded to "intermediate" cells designated under the light microscope. All "immature" secretory cells with only a few secretory granules were also lysozyme-positive seromucous cells. The present study demonstrated that the seromucous cells in the human sublingual glands conform closely with those in the human labial glands (MIYAZAKI et. al., 1998).
Miyazaki
T
T
Department of Oral Histology, Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, Sakamoto, Japan. miyazaki@net.nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Inoue
Y
Y
Takano
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D019070:Cell Lineage; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis*; D010504:Periodic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012704:Serous Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012836:Silver Proteins; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D004396:Coloring Agents; D006834:Hydrazines; D012836:Silver Proteins; C055835:periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate; D010504:Periodic Acid; D009113:Muramidase