| Popis: |
Summary 26 human fetuses were examined to elucidate the immunohistochemical distributions of lysozyme, lactoferrin, α 1 -antichymotrypsin, and α 1 -antitrypsin in prenatal salivary glands. Development of fetal salivary glands was divided into 4 stages: The early developmental stage (EDS) , the early intermediate developmental stage (EIDS) , the late intermediate developmental stage (LIDS) , and the late developmental stage (LDS) and were used to compare antigen localization during salivary gland development. Lysozyme (LY) staining was prominent in serous or demilune cells of the mucous acinar compartment. Lactoferrin (LF) was rarely seen in the fetal glands; only trace amounts were seen in serous cells. α 1 -antichymotrypsin (α 1 - ACT ) was diffusely positive particularly in glandular ducts. α 1 -antitrypsin (α 1 - AT ) was also diffusely distributed in all salivary gland elements and was more abundant in ductal cells than acinar cells. During the EDS, immunohistochemical staining of LY, LF, α 1 -ACT, and α 1 -AT could be observed with glandular intensity increases corresponding to the advance of cytodifferentiation of granular epithelium occuring in the subsequent EIDS and LIDS. Staining intensities were continuous during the LDS even though the amount of those materials in the fetal salivary glands was not of the extent seen in the adult salivary gland. These results suggest that production of LY, LF, α 1 -ACT, and α 1 -AT was positive during prenatal development of human salivary glands. The present study discusses the protective roles and defense mechanisms of LY, LF, α 1 -ACT, and α 1 -AT in developing human salivary glands. |
