The homeobox HOXB13 is expressed in human minor salivary gland

BACKGROUND

Homeobox are a family of developmental genes involved in morphogenesis and cellular differentiation. Participation of homeobox within normal and malignant tissue has been recently discussed in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the presence of HOXB13 transcript expression in human minor salivary gland.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ten-micrometer sections from frozen samples were evaluated employing non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique and HOXB13 mRNA probes.

RESULTS

HOXB13 was found to be expressed in ducts and mucous acini but not in serous acini.

CONCLUSIONS

RESULTS suggest that HOXB13 transcripts are differently expressed in normal mucous and serous acini, and it may possibly reflect a different role in salivary gland carcinogenesis.

Sialadenoma papilliferum: immunohistochemical study

Sialadenoma papilliferum (SP) is a rare benign tumour of salivary gland origin, which has been included among the ductal papillomas in the latest classification of tumours by the World Health Organisation. Two SP from the minor salivary gland of the palate of middle age patients were presented and studied by immunohistochemical. Our results showed presence of cytokeratins (CKs) 13, 14, 7, 8, 19 and absence of vimentin and smooth muscle actin. This immunoprofile is similar to the excretory duct of salivary gland.

Salivary duct carcinoma: cytokeratin 14 as a marker of in-situ intraductal growth

AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine the immunoprofile of salivary duct carcinoma and to differentiate intraductal growth from invasive growth.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We applied a panel of antibodies (cytokeratins 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin) in five cases of salivary duct carcinoma. This panel is currently used for identification of different components of salivary gland tumours in our laboratory. All tumour cells were positive for cytokeratins 7 and 8. Few neoplastic structures expressed cytokeratin 14 in cells surrounding tumour islands.

CONCLUSION

The finding of cytokeratin 14 was important to confirm the in-situ intraductal growth, which probably characterizes this low-grade neoplasm.

Immunohistochemical distinction of high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma and epidermoid carcinoma of the parotid region

The correct diagnosis of high-grade mucoepidermoid (MEC), which is composed of solid islands of intermediate and squamous cells, may be challenging, due to its similarity to other tumours, mainly with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The present report employed immunohistochemical technique against different cytokeratins (CKs), in order to differentiate these two entities. : Six high-grade MEC and six SCC of the parotid region, retrieved from the files of both Oral Pathology Department of the School of Dentistry of University of São Paulo and Pathology Department of A.C. Camargo Hospital, were submitted immunohistochemical technique against Cks 7,8, 10, 13, 14 and 19. : High-grade MEC was positive for Cks 7, 8, 13, 14 and 19. The cases of SCC showed strong positivity for CK14, and CK10 was present only in focal areas. Our results highlight the use of CKs (especially CK14) to differentiate high-grade MEC and SCC.