Expression of cytokeratins and vimentin in salivary gland carcinomas as revealed with monoclonal antibodies

Summary The expression and distribution of cytokeratins and vimentin in fifteen malignant salivary neoplasms were examined by immunocytochemical techniques using, five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different epitopes of Cytokeratins (CKs) (mAbs PKK1, PKK2, and PKK3, identifying CKs 8, 18 and 19, CKs 7, 17 and 19, and CK 18, respectively) and Vimentin (mAbs V9 and V24). Antibody PKK1 gave strong reactions in all neoplasms showing the similarity of these tumours to other digestive system adenocarcinomas. Three general staining patterns of the neoplasms were recognized with respect to the reactivity of mAbs PKK2, PKK3, and V9. Mucoepidermoid cancer, salivary duct carcinoma and a clear cell carcinoma had a higher relative content of CKs 7, 17 and 19 than of CK 18. Adenoid cystic carcinoma showed the same CK pattern but in the periphery of the tumour cords vimentin was readily detected. In two acinic cell carcinomas, the relative content of CK 18 was higher than that of CKs 7, 17 and 19. Furthermore vimentin was expressed in the tumour cells. However, one mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed vimentin expression and two acinic cell carcinomas were vimentin negative and more reative for PKK2 than PKK3. Pecularities in CK expression were seen: squamous areas of mucoepidermoid carcinomas were stained by mAb PKK3 although CK 18 is not present in normal squamous epithelia or in squamous cell carcinomas of tongue and skin. In conclusion, the different salivary neoplasms can be distinguished on basis of IFP content. Such a differentiation fits with current theories of histogenesis, i.e. vimentin is seen in tumours presumed to arise from intercalated duct reserve cells, whilst the vimentin negative neoplasms would be expected to arise in excretory duct reserve cells.