Epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression in human salivary glands. An immunohistochemical study.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a biologically active peptide involved in differentiation, growth, regeneration and repair of human and animal tissues. Quantitative biochemical studies showed in man the highest concentration of EGF in the parotid gland. The aim of the present study was to define EGF immunolocalization in the individual segments of the human major salivary glands (salivon). The material consisted of sections obtained from the surgically removed salivary glands: parotid, submaxillary and sublingual. Immunohistochemical studies were performed by PAP method using monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor. EGF expression was found almost exclusively in the efferent pathways of the salivary glands, mostly in the intercalated ducts and Pflüger salivary tubules. These segments of the salivon are most developed in the parotid gland in which the staining was stronger than in other salivary glands.