Histochemical studies on Concanavalin A-binding in experimental carcinoma of the mouse submandibular gland

Immunochemistry of high molecular-weight human salivary mucin

The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of mucin glycoprotein 1 (MG1) within submandibular, parotid, labial and palatine salivary tissues. Formalin-fixed and frozen tissue sections were examined histochemically with PAS, Alcian blue and Meyer's mucicarmine, and immunocytochemically with an anti-mucin glycoprotein 1 monoclonal antibody (clone 3/E8). Clone 3/E8 was produced in Balb/c mice using mucin-enriched chromatographic fractions from submandibular-sublingual saliva. The monospecificity of 3/E8 was confirmed by immuno-dot blotting and SDS-PAGE/electrophoretic transfer. Clone 3/E8 (IgG1; kappa) was of moderate affinity, and was directed to a carbohydrate-containing, TPCK-trypsin-insensitive and pronase-insensitive epitope on this mucin, which was not blood-group specific. The location of mucin glycoprotein 1 was determined by both indirect (peroxidase-antiperoxidase) and direct methods. Mucin glycoprotein 1 was localized within all labial acini examined, but was not found within parotid tissues. Histochemical methods stained all submandibular, palatine and labial acini, but immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibody revealed heterogeneous staining with clone 3/E8 in submandibular and palatine tissues. These findings suggest the presence of mucin glycoprotein 1-specific acinar cell subpopulations within human submandibular and palatine salivary tissues.

Immunohistochemical localization of keratin in experimental carcinoma of the mouse submandibular gland

An immunohistochemical survey of the distribution of keratin was studied in chemically induced carcinomas of the submandibular glands of mice. Initial signs of premalignant changes were degranulation of granular convoluted tubule cells and deposition of keratin protein in small limited areas of the degranulated cells. There was a gradual increase in the area showing keratin staining in altered tubule cells. Duct-like and cystic structures stained intensely for keratin, as did squamous metaplastic epithelial cells. Induced carcinomas were variably keratinized. Basal layers of cells of squamous-cell carcinomas displayed weak keratin staining, and spinous tumor cells and parakeratotic tumor cells showed somewhat increased levels of keratin staining. Some desquamated keratotic tumor cells stained intensely for keratin. Just as the localization of epidermal and nerve growth factors and lectin-binding histochemistry have been used in studying tumorigenesis in the mouse submandibular gland, immunohistochemically detected keratin proved to be a useful marker of tumor cells of ductal segment origin.

Lectin histochemistry of submandibular glands following duct-ligation in mice and rats

Lectin binding patterns of Con A, PNA, SBA, DBA, WGA, RCA-1 and UEA-1 were carried out in duct-ligated submandibular glands (SMGs) of rats that displayed acute degenerating changes. Lectin staining was also related to histologic changes. Proliferating epithelial cells which were probably derived from intercalated duct cells showed a strong SBA and WGA staining on the 3rd day. Duct-like and cystic structures appeared on the 7th day and staining by PNA, SBA, WGA, RCA-1 and Con A was described. In mice, lectin binding after duct ligation appeared similar to the rat. In the long-term observation of mice SMGs, acinar cell regeneration occurred between the 21st and 42nd days and they stained strongly for DBA.

Keratin distribution in precancerous stages of experimental carcinogenesis in mouse submandibular glands

The immunohistochemical distribution of keratin is reported in experimental carcinogenesis in the mouse submandibular gland (SMG). The initial changes included degranulation of granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells and the appearance of keratin in the degranulated cells. There was a gradual increase in the area showing keratin staining in the altered tubule cells. Duct-like and cystic structures exhibited an intense keratin staining of their lining epithelium. The squamous cell carcinomas induced varying degrees of keratinization and positive immunohistochemical keratin staining. The latter technique provided a useful marker for distinguishing tumor cells of segmental duct origin in the salivary gland.

Lectin-binding in premalignant lesions during submandibular gland carcinogenesis

Complex carbohydrates in premalignant lesions of mouse submandibular gland tumors were examined by the lectin-peroxidase conjugate method. Peroxidase-conjugated lectins of PNA, RCA-1, DBA, SBA, UEA-1 and WGA were used to detect specific sugar residues of complex carbohydrates in premalignant lesions during experimental carcinogenesis. Marked reduction of PNA and SBA bindings occurred in duct-like structures and cystic lesions which were transformed from granular convoluted tubule cells. Premalignant lesions bound slightly to PNA, RCA-1, DBA, SBA and WGA and manifested increased UEA-1 binding. Squamous metaplastic epithelia of premalignant lesions manifested increased binding to PNA, RCA-1 and SBA as compared to those of duct-like structure and cystic epithelia.