PURPOSE To show the presence and forms of sialomucin complex (rat Muc4) and receptor tyrosine kinase ErbBs in the rat lacrimal gland and analyze for complexes of ErbB2 and its ligand Muc4. METHODS Northern blot analyses were used to identify sialomucin complex/Muc4 (SMC/Muc4) mRNA in rat lacrimal gland. Immunoblot analyses were performed to detect SMC/Muc4 and ErbBs. Sequential immunoprecipit...

BACKGROUND Study of human lacrimal cell biology is limited by poor access to tissue samples, heterogeneous cell composition of tissue and a lack of established lacrimal epithelial markers. In order to further our understanding of lacrimal cell biology, we sought to find a better marker for human lacrimal epithelial cells, compared to what has been reported in the literature. METHODS We utiliz...

Previous research has demonstrated that distinct, gender-related differences exist in the morphology of the rat lacrimal gland. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this sexual dimorphism is unique to the rat, or extends as well to other species. Lacrimal glands were collected from adult male and female rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and humans (biopsies). Tissues were pr...

BACKGROUND Topical therapy is effective for dry eye, and its prolonged effects should help in maintaining the quality of life of patients with dry eye. We previously reported that the oral administration of rebamipide (Reb), a mucosal protective agent, had a potent therapeutic effect on autoimmune lesions in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). However, the effects of topical treatment wi...

Lacrimal glands of mammals synthesise and secrete an aqueous solution in which different chemical substances are present i.e. protein and mucosubstances. The objective of current study was to determine of mucopolysachharides of camel lacrimal glands. Ten pairs of dorsal lacrimal glands, from ten adult camels were examined for normal histological and histochemical findings at the Mashhad abattoi...

PURPOSE Description of the clinical and histopathological features of unusual lacrimal gland intra-glandular duct cysts. PROCEDURES A 38-year-old male presented with bilateral upper lid lumpiness, which was worse on the left. Computed tomography scan showed bilateral multiple lacrimal gland cysts, which were larger on the left compared to the right. After two unsuccessful attempts to excise t...

A 7-year-old West African male patient presented with recurrence of multiple cervical lymphadenopathy. Cervical node biopsy disclosed a sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease). During follow-up, the patient developed a left orbital mass corresponding to an enlarged lacrimal gland shown by CT. The histologic features of the gland were consistent with th...

PURPOSE Previously, it was reported that the murine lacrimal gland is capable of repair after experimentally induced injury and that the number of stem/progenitor cells was increased during the repair phase (2-3 days after injury). The aim of the present study was to determine whether these cells can be isolated from the lacrimal gland and propagated in vitro. METHODS Lacrimal gland injury wa...