Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 43 No. 2, 2004.
Conference paper
The Expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen and Retinoblastoma Protein in Transplanted Fetal Rat Lacrimal Gland
Ana Katušić
Ljiljana Šerman
Floriana Bulić-Jakuš
Gordana Jurić-Lekić
Maja Vlahović
Klaus Kratochwil
Abstract
A model of ectopic organogenesis of the rat fetal lacrimal gland was developed to study lacrimal gland organogenesis. It was done by its transplantation under the renal capsule. In transplants, expression of the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma gene (Rb) and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was assessed at the protein level. Eyes of 17- and 20-day-old rat fetuses were isolated under a dissecting microscope. Lacrimal glands were found and transplanted under the renal capsule of an adult male. After 14 days, transplants were routinely prepared for immunohistochemistry. DAKO Animal Research kit (Peroxidase) was used for detection of monoclonal mouse anti-PCNA and monoclonal mouse anti-human retinoblastoma gene product. In transplants, teratoma-like structures developed that contained lacrimal gland epithelial cells and ducts as well as epidermis. PCNA signal was detected in the nuclei of excretory duct cells and in epidermal basal layer cells. Some transplant cells were found to have the ability of proliferation preserved even after a 14-day period. PCNA signal was absent in well differentiated epithelial cells of lacrimal gland. Intranuclear Rb protein expression was only detected in several scattered cells, indicating the proliferating compartment to be usually larger than the differentiating one in fetal tissues. Assessment of the PCNA and Rb gene expression could prove important for elucidation of pathologic processes of the lacrimal gland, such as tumors or dry eye syndrome.
Keywords
Lacrimal apparatus - embryology; Organ culture; Retinoblastoma protein - analysis; Animal
Hrčak ID:
15162
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2004.
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