Histochemical studies of metaplastic lesions in the human gallbladder.

We studied goblet cell metaplasia and pseudopyloric gland metaplasia in 25 surgically removed, paraffin-embedded gallbladder specimens using mucin histochemistry, silver methods for endocrine cells, and the indirect immunoperoxidase method for 12 peptide hormones, secretory component, and lysozyme. Goblet cell metaplasia was closely related to the occurrence of endocrine cells that showed argentaffinity, argyrophilia, or immunoreactive gastrin, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide, or motilin. Mucosal areas without goblet cell metaplasia were devoid of such endocrine cells. Metaplastic pseudopyloric glands showing lysozyme immunoreactivity were positive for class III mucin with paradoxical concanavalin A staining. Specimens with florid metaplastic lesions revealed a low tendency to form Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses whose cells never showed a metaplastic nature. We compared the pathophysiological significance of metaplastic lesions in the gallbladder with intestinal metaplasia of the stomach.