Immunohistochemical identification of androgen receptors in human lacrimalglands

Purpose. Androgens are thought to play a role in the regulation of the huma n lacrimal gland. Androgen receptor mRNA has been isolated from human lacri mal tissue; however, it is not known which cell(s) in human lacrimal tissue may contain androgen receptors. This study is an immunohistochemical inves tigation of the location and distribution of androgen receptors in human la crimal tissue. Methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human lacrimal gland tissues wer e subjected to established antigen retrieval techniques. This was followed by routine immunohistochemical staining, employing one of two anti-human an drogen receptor monoclonal antibodies, each specific for a different antige nic epitope within the receptor molecule. Results. The two anti-human androgen receptor monoclonal antibodies demonst rated similar staining patterns in adjacent tissue sections from the same h uman lacrimal gland specimens. Specific staining for androgen receptors was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of lacrimal acinar cells, as well as in lacrimal duct cells. Both the intensity of staining and the number of c ells demonstrating staining varied among specimens. We also observed staini ng for androgen receptors in interstitial and inflammatory cells distribute d between lacrimal acinar units in some specimens. Conclusions. Androgen receptors are located in human lacrimal gland acinar cell nuclei as observed in other animals. However, the detection of androge n receptors in lacrimal interacinar interstitial and inflammatory cells sug gests that androgens may play a role in modulating the activities of cells other than lacrimal cells within the human lacrimal gland.