Immunohistochemical distribution of MAM-3 and MAM-6 antigens in developing salivary glands of the human fetus.

The immunohistochemical expression of MAM-3 and MAM-6 antigens was studied developing human fetal salivary gland removed at autopsy of 22 normal fetuses of varying maturity (10-40 weeks of gestation). The onset of functional maturation in the fetal gland was seen at 21 weeks of gestational maturity. The acini and ducts then underwent distinct alterations in antigen expression with growth and maturation until the late developmental stage (33-40 weeks of gestation) when they resemble the adult salivary gland. The role of maturing duct cells in histogenesis of salivary gland tumours is discussed.