title: Combination of keratins and alpha-smooth muscle actin distinguishes secretory coils from ducts of eccrine sweat glands.
abstract: Eccrine sweat glands are comprised of secretory coils and ducts, which are distinct in morphology and function. To better understand the roles of the two parts in development, homeostasis, wound repair and regeneration of eccrine sweat glands, we must distinguish between them. In this study, the localization of keratins and alpha-SMA in human eccrine sweat glands was examined by immunofluorescence staining. Based on the differential localization of keratins and alpha-SMA in different cell types, four pairs of antibodies (K5/K7, K5/alpha-SMA, K14/K7 and K14/alpha-SMA) were used to differentiate secretory coils from ducts by double-immunofluorescence staining. Immunofluorescence staining showed that myoepithelial cells of secretory coils expressed K5, K14 and alpha-SMA, whereas secretory cells of secretory coils expressed K7, K8, K15, K18 and K19. Ductal cells expressed K5, K8, K14 and K19. Double-staining showed that the secretory coils were K5(+)/K7(+), K5(+)/alpha-SMA(+), K14(+)/K7(+) and K14(+)/alpha-SMA(+), whereas ducts were K5(+)/K7(-), K5(+)/alpha-SMA(-), K14(+)/K7(-) and K14(+)/alpha-SMA(-). In conclusion, by combining use of keratins and alpha-SMA antibodies, secretory coils can be easily differentiated from ducts in morphology.
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China; Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China. Electronic address: lihaihong1051@126.com.
authors: Haihong
authors: H
authors: Li
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Xiang
authors: X
authors: Zhang
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Shaopeng
authors: S
authors: Zeng
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Xuexue
authors: X
authors: Li
authors: Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Bingna
authors: B
authors: Zhang
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Changmin
authors: C
authors: Lin
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Mingjun
authors: M
authors: Zhang
authors: Burn and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, North Dongxia Road, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515041, China.
authors: Shijie
authors: S
authors: Tang
authors: Burns Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Trauma Center of Postgraduate Medical School, 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing 100037, China.
authors: Xiaobing
authors: X
authors: Fu
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D007633:Keratins
keywords: Alpha-SMA; Duct; Eccrine sweat glands; Keratins; Secretory coil