title: Tenascin and fibronectin in pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the expression and distribution pattern of extracellular matrix components in pleomorphic adenomas of the major and minor salivary glands and to compare the morphological findings of these tumors with the immunohistochemical expression, considering the different types of stroma predominating in each case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of tenascin (TN) and fibronectin (FN) was analyzed in 23 cases of pleomorphic adenomas, 11 major and 12 minor salivary gland tumors, by the streptavidin-biotin method using anti-tenascin and anti-fibronectin antibodies. In addition, the immunohistochemical results were correlated with the morphological findings of the lesions. All cases analyzed were immunoreactive for the antibodies used. Fibronectin showed strong labeling in fibrous and chondroid stroma, while labeling was weak in hyaline and myxoid stroma. Tenascin expression was more intense in fibrous and chondroid stroma and moderate in hyaline and myxoid stroma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference in the expression of these proteins was observed between major and minor salivary gland tumors.
authors.affiliation: Campina Grande Dental School, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia Meira
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: Roseana de Almeida
authors.initials: Rde A
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Leão Pereira
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Lélia Batista
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: de Souza