MYOEPITHELIAL CELLS IN SALIVARY-GLAND TUMORS - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 109  (2) , 190-195
Abstract
Normal salivary glands and 55 salivary gland tumors were examined by immunostaining (immunoperoxidase [IMP] and immunofluorescence [IMF]) to identify myoepithelial cells (MC) and speculate on their role in the histogenesis of the tumors. The classic (C) MC of normal salivary glands stained by IMP with antibodies to cytokeratin and S100 protein and stained by IMF with the same antibodies and with antibodies to vimentin and actin. Modified (M) MC of pleomorphic adenomas stained positively by IMP and IMF with all of the preceding antibodies. In many mucoepidermoid carcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas and basal cell adenomas, variable numbers of CMC and MMC stained positively by IMP with anti-cytokeratin and anti-S100 protein antibodies. No MC were detected in adenolymphomas or acinic cell carcinomas. MC play a major role in the histogenesis of pleomorphic adenomas and may also be important in many mucoepidermoid carcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas and basal cell adenomas.