DISTRIBUTION AND SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF LACTOFERRIN IN HUMAN TISSUES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND

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Immunohistochemical localization of lactoferrin (LF) in human organs was studied light microscopically by means of PAP (peroxidase-antiperoxidase) method. Focusing on the submandibular gland, the localization of LF was compared with that of lysozyme (LZ) using double staining method and serial mirror-image sections, and subcellular localization of LF was studied with preembedding direct immunoperoxidase method. LF was distributed in the following sites: the salivary gland, the esophageal gland, the cardiac and pyloric glands, chief cells in the gastric gland proper, the gallbladder, the nasal and paranasal glands, the bronchial gland, neutrophilic granulocytes, thymic epithelium (Hassal's corpuscle), distal tubules and collecting tubules of the kidney, the seminal vesicles, the prostatic gland, the uterine cervical gland, intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland, the mammary gland in lactating phase, and the lacrimal gland. In the submandibular gland, LZ-positive serous cells were always less numerous than LF-positive cells, and intermingled among LF-positive acini. LZ-containing cells also occasionally contained LF. Electron microscopically, LF was observed in the serous granules of acinar cells in the submandibular gland. Central core of the granules stained intensely whereas peripheral rim stained weakly. LF was not observed in other cell organelles.