Myoepithelial cells of the lacrimal gland

Abstract

Myoepithelial cells (MECs) are found in different exocrine glands, which include the lacrimal gland. However, although the MECs are functionally relevant for the function of this gland, few studies characterised them by means of immunohistochemistry. We therefore aimed at checking the molecular phenotype of the MECs in the lacrimal gland. For this study were used archived paraffin-embedded samples of lacrimal glands. Primary antibodies were applied: D2-40, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Ki67, the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMM), cytokeratin 5 (CK5), and CD117/c-kit. MECs of the lacrimal gland expressed D2-40 (podoplanin), α-SMA, SMM, CK5 and, scarcely, c-kit. Ki67, the proliferative marker, and c-kit, were scarcely expressed in basal cells of the secretory units. Therefore, podoplanin should be added to the specific panel of markers specifically identifying the MECs of the lacrimal gland.