[Study of electron microscopy histochemistry and immunohistochemistry of extracellular matrix in adenoid cystic carcinoma].

In order to determine the character of the extracellular matrix in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), 22 cases of ACC of salivary gland were examined by immunohistochemical methods and 4 cases were examined by electron microscopy histochemically. Immunohistochemistry, type IV collagen and fibronectin were more intensively localized in pseudocyst space and in extracellular matrix between tumor cells. Ultrastructural study showed that the pseudocystic cells had abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and a well-developed Golgi apparatus, some cells had muscle microfilament. There were laminin, proteoglycan and collagen fibril in the pseudocyst space. The results indicated that type IV collagen and fibronectin were the important stromal component in ACC, which may be secreted by neoplasmic myoepithelial cells.