title: Secretory phenomena in the non-lactating human mammary gland.
abstract: The normal non-lactating premenopausal human mammary gland has been shown by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy to secrete a number of antimicrobial peptides such as beta-defensins, the cathelicidin LL37, lactoferrin and adrenomedullin. In addition, the non-lactating gland elaborates a prominent glycocalyx at the apical membrane of the glandular epithelial cells, parts of which are shed into the lumen of endpieces and ducts. This glycocalyx includes the mucins MUC 1 and MUC 4, a strongly Alcian Blue positive palyanionic component and sulfated material stained with Aldehyde Fuchsin. MUC 1 and the Alcian Blue positive material are considered to play an antimicrobial role, too. Lactalbumin and lipid droplets also occur in the non-lactating gland. At the EM-level secretory phenomena operating by exocytosis and by means of the apocrine mechanism have been observed. Cytoskeletal components presumably play a role in apocrine secretion. Apart from secretion at the cellular apex, secretion at the cellular basis also occurs regularly, which may represent the production of para- or endocrine factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Chair II, University of Munich, Anatomische Anstalt, Pettenkoferstrasse 11, D-80336 München, Germany. ulrich.welsch@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Welsch
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oppermann
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortezza
authors.forename: Eugen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Höfter
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Unterberger
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000378:metabolism; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D023082:Defensins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000378:metabolism; D007774:Lactation; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D016462:Mammaplasty; D018396:Mucin-1; D055264:Mucin-4; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D017697:Premenopause; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D023082:Defensins; C060192:MUC1 protein, human; C524658:MUC4 protein, human; D018396:Mucin-1; D055264:Mucin-4; D009077:Mucins; D014404:Tubulin; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D007768:Lactalbumin; D007781:Lactoferrin; D054804:Cathelicidins