Distribution of immunoreactive transforming growth factor-alpha in non-neoplastic human salivary glands.

The distribution of immunoreactive transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was studied in non-neoplastic human major and minor salivary glands using an immunoperoxidase assay in conjunction with an antiserum to human TGF-alpha. The ductal cell components of all major and minor salivary glands were found to contain significant amounts of TGF-alpha immunoreactivity. In contrast, acinar and myoepithelial cells consistently lacked immune reaction product in both types of glands.