Distribution pattern of the cellular oral immune system in the major and minor salivary glands. Immunocytochemical findings
Beckenkamp, G.
Hno 33(5): 196-203
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-6192 PMID: 3891696 Document Number: 254038
The cellular distribution of lymphocytes and immunocytes in the major and minor salivary glands was analysed comparatively by a semiquantitative method on mastoids from 53 random autopsies. In a second step, the immunoglobulin producing immunocytes were cytochemically distinguished by their content of IgA, IgG and IgM. In addition to the major salivary glands (parotid, sublingual and submandibular), seven minor salivary gland regions (palate, floor of the mouth, upper lip, lower lip, cheek, retrolingual region and tip of the tongue) were studied. The immunocytochemical differentiation was performed by the avidin-biotin-system; the findings were evaluated morphometrically. The following results were obtained: The incidence of a marked or massive infiltration with lymphocytes and immunocytes, especially in the periductal area, showed the following distribution: floor of the mouth 36%, sublingual gland 27%, cheek 26%, palate 25%, lower lip 12%, other salivary glands less than 10% (tip of the tongue 9%, submandibular gland 8%, parotid gland 6%, retrolingual region 4%). 90% of the immunocytes contained IgA, whereas only 10% showed IgG or IgM. The highest density of IgA producing immunocytes was found in the upper lip, followed by the glands in the cheek and lower lip, the submandibular gland and the glands in the floor of the mouth. The lowest infiltration rate with IgA containing immunocytes was seen in the glands of the tip of the tongue, of the cheek and in the submandibular and parotid glands. The glands of the lips and the cheek predominated with respect to IgG and IgM.