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Binding sites of Ulex europaeus-lectin I in human parotid gland

A light-microscopic and ultrastructural study using the immunoperoxidase technique and immunocryoultramicrotomy

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Summary

Twenty non-neoplastic parotid glands (removed during neck dissection for regional tumours) were examined for cellular and subcellular binding sites of Ulex europaeus-lectin I (UEA-I), a lectin reported to be specific for α-L-fucose. For light microscopy, an extended peroxidase-antiperoxidase method was applied; for the evaluation of the subcellular localization of bound lectin, three of these glands were examined following immunocryoultramicrotomy and staining by the protein A-gold technique.

In addition to the known cytoplasmic affinity of UEA-I for capillary endothelium, acinar cells bound the lectin within the cytoplasmic compartment; the number and distribution of stained acinar cells varied among individuals. Furthermore, cytomembrane-bound labelling that occurred most markedly at the luminar surface was observed in striated-duct epithelium.

Using the electron microscope, protein A-gold particles were seen in zymogen granules and in Golgi cisternae of serous acinar cells; primary saliva secreted in the lumina exhibited strong labelling; serous acinar cells had binding sites on their cell membranes, striated-duct epithelium had binding sites on its surface membrane and in the vicinity of apical vesicles. Our results show that UEA-I is a useful tool for the study of the structure and functional states of the parotid gland epithelium and its associated pathological alterations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany

    I. Antonio Born, Klaus -P. Zimmer & Peter Möller

  2. Institute of Neuropathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Karl Schwechheimer

  3. Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Heinz Maier

Authors
  1. I. Antonio Born
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  2. Klaus -P. Zimmer
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  3. Karl Schwechheimer
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  4. Heinz Maier
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  5. Peter Möller
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. G. Seifert on the occasion of his 65th birthday

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Born, I.A., Zimmer, K.P., Schwechheimer, K. et al. Binding sites of Ulex europaeus-lectin I in human parotid gland. Cell Tissue Res. 248, 455–461 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218213

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