Immunohistochemical study of angiotensin receptors in normal human sweat glands and eccrine poroma.

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin II exerts its actions through its specific receptors. However, expression of these receptors has not been determined in sweat glands.

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the expression and localization of the angiotensin receptors in normal human sweat glands and eccrine poroma.

METHODS

Expression of angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in normal human eccrine and apocrine sweat glands and 12 cases of eccrine poroma was studied using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In eccrine sweat glands, the acrosyringium and the inner surfaces and luminal cells of the intradermal duct showed positive staining with AT1. In apocrine sweat glands, the intraepithelial duct and luminal cells of the intradermal duct showed positive staining with AT1. In 12 cases of eccrine poroma, some of the tumour cells in the tumour strands and cells surrounding the luminal structures stained positively. There were no positive findings with AT2.

CONCLUSIONS

Studying AT1 distribution may be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of sweat glands and sweat gland tumours.