P-glycoprotein expression in human major and minor salivary glands.

Sodium pump and carbonic anhydrase activity have been described in the salivary glands. However, it remains to be elucidated whether these energy sources are used for secretion, excretion or both. In addition, the differences in the function of excretion and the role of the excretory duct cells are currently unknown in salivary glands. Expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is an ATPase-binding efflux pump, was tested in normal major and minor salivary glands from humans. P-gp was distributed on the basolateral membrane of serous acinar cells in the major salivary glands and the minor salivary glands. In particular, it was found to be present on the basolateral membrane and cytoplasm of acinar demilunar cells in the anterior lingual gland. Intense expression was identified in the basolateral membrane of the striated duct cells of the major salivary glands. P-gp was distinctly positive in the basolateral and/or luminal membranes of the initial part and in the luminal membrane of the terminal part of the excretory duct cells of the major salivary glands, whereas it was positive in the luminal membranes of both the initial part and the terminal part of the excretory duct cells of the minor salivary glands. These disparate distributions between the major and the minor salivary glands suggest different physiological excretions in the striated duct. P-gp may be physiologically involved in an important part of the transporter system, not only in the acinar serous cells and the striated duct cells, but also in the excretory duct cells in the salivary glands.