PANCREATIC ACINAR-CELLS IN ADULT HUMAN ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

Pancreatic acinar cells within the islets of Langerhans in human pancr eas were investigated both histopathologically and electron microscopi cally. Acinar cells inside the islets of Langerhans were observed in a ll 50 adult cases investigated. Between such acinar cells and endocrin e tissues, no reticular fiber was observed; they were encapsulated tog ether instead. The acinar cells were immunostained with antiamylase si milar to the ''extrainsular'' acinar cells and were also connected to the small pancreatic duct. Electron microscopically, intercellular jun ctions of the desmosomal type were found between the acinar cells and the adjacent endocrine cells. Therefore, the acinar cells within the i slets of Langerhans were true acinar cells, based on the incomplete de marcation between the islets and the acinar tissue.