Salivary Gland Acinar Cells Research Articles

Acinic cell tumor of the lung.A histologic and ultrastructural study

This is the first description, to our knowledge, of a primary neoplasm of the lower respiratory tract having the cytologic appearance of a salivary gland acinic cell tumor. When examined by light microscopy, the cells have cytoplasmic granules which are positive with PAS and negative with mucicarmine, alcian blue, and Masson-Fontana stains. Ultrastructurally, two cell types are seen: a dark cell resembling the normal serous cell of the bronchial submucosal gland and a light cell similar to the cells of previously reported acinic cell tumors of the parotid. It seems likely that the lesion described herein originated from the serous cell of the bronchial submucosal gland and can be designated as an acinic cell tumor analogous to that occurring in the salivary gland. Salivary gland acinic cell tumors are histologically distinctive neoplasms which may have their metastases appear more than 10 years after removal of the primary. Our patient is well nearly 2 years after lobectomy.

Morphology and cytochemistry of the Golgi apparatus of rat salivary gland acnar cells.

AbstractThe ultrastructure and cytochemistry of the Golgi apparatus was studied in acinar cells of the parotid and von Ebner's glands of the rat. The Golgi apparatus was composed of four to six stacked cisternae, numerous small vesicles, and condensing vacuoles. The latter appeared to form as dilatations of the innermost Golgi cisterna, and their irregular membrane suggested fusion with or fission of small vesicles. Nucleoside diphosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activities were localized to the inner Golgi cisternae. Acid phosphatase activity was localized to condensing vacuoles, coated vesicles, and an irregular, narrow cisterna found in the internal region of the Golgi apparatus and termed the internal Golgi lamella. The morphology and relationships of the Golgi apparatus indicate that it plays an important role in secretory granule formation. The presence of nucleoside diphosphatase activity may reflect the role of the Golgi apparatus in the addition of carbohydrates to the secretory proteins. It is suggested that the internal Golgi lamella develops from the inner Golgi cisterna after secretory granule formation is completed. Acid phosphatase activity in condensing vacuoles may be a mechanism for lysosomal regulation of the secretory process.