elastin and Salivary-Gland-Neoplasms

Topics: Adenoma, Pleomorphic; Collagen; Crystallization; Elastin; Humans; Laminin; Mucins; Myoepithelioma; Salivary Gland Neoplasms

A study was done to investigate the presence of type II collagen and elastin in the metaplastic chondroid tissue of 21 pleomorphic adenomas of the major and minor salivary glands. Type II collagen was detected with anti-bovine type II collagen antibody after double digestion of histological sections with trypsin and hyaluronidase. The immunoreaction was positive in the chondrocytic cells and intercellular matrix. Elastic fibers in the chondroid tissue were found by orcein staining; they were scarce and randomly distributed. Although the presence of type II collagen and elastin in the metaplastic chondroid tissue is not directly implicated in the genesis of the tumor, it reveals a unique and high grade of cellular differentiation in comparison with true cartilage.

Topics: Adenoma, Pleomorphic; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cartilage; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Collagen; Elastin; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Salivary Gland Neoplasms

Topics: Aged; Elastin; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Myoepithelioma; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Salivary Glands; Salivary Glands, Minor

Following light microscopic survey of the incidence of elastic tissue in 80 salivary gland tumors, tissue samples from 14 pleomorphic adenomas, three myoepitheliomas, and eight adenoid cystic carcinomas were processed for cytochemical demonstration of elastin with the tannic acid stain for ultra-thin sections. For comparative study, some other tumor types devoid of elastic tissue at the light microscopic level and non-neoplastic submandibular glands were also investigated. Elastic deposits of varying amounts were clearly revealed on the basal-lamina-like material and/or masses of microfibrils in the matrix close to the neoplastic myoepithelium and, to a lesser degree, immediately beneath the non-neoplastic myoepithelium. None of the other tumor types without myoepithelial differentiation contained elastic deposits closely associated with the neoplastic cells. Intimate topographical relationship of such as immature elastic fiber or developing elastic tissue to the neoplastic myoepithelial cells strongly indicated the primary origin of elastic components from these cells. It is postulated that the potential of salivary tumor cells to produce elastin is regarded as an indicator of their myoepithelial nature or differentiation.

Topics: Adenoma; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic; Elastin; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Myoepithelioma; Salivary Gland Neoplasms