Localization of antileukoprotease in the parotid and the submandibular salivary glands.

Antileukoprotease is the dominating inhibitor of granulocyte elastase and cathepsin G in normal human mixed and parotid saliva. The distribution of antileukoprotease in the submandibular and parotid glands was analysed with an immunoperoxidase technique using specific antibodies against antileukoprotease. Antileukoprotease was demonstrated in the serous cells of both the submandibular and parotid glands. These findings suggest that there is a local production of the inhibitor in the parotid gland and submandibular gland and are in agreement with our previous work which demonstrated high concentrations of the inhibitor in parotid saliva.