Immunohistochemical demonstration of epidermal growth factor and nerve growth factor in experimental carcinogenesis in the mouse submandibular gland.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) was made during chemical carcinogenesis in the mouse submandibular gland. The granular convoluted tubule cells in the normal male submandibular gland contained larger amounts of EGF and NGF than in the female. The initial phase and early stages in chemical carcinogenesis showed degranulation of the granular convoluted tubule cells with a marked decrease in EGF and NGF. Premalignant lesions such as duct-like structures and multicystic lesions showed variable staining for EGF and were usually negative for NGF. Material secreted into the luminal spaces revealed increased staining for EGF and NGF. Scattered tumor cells of the poorly differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma type and desquamated tumor cells contained abundant EGF, but not NGF. No positive reaction for EGF or NGF was found in the induced squamous-cell carcinoma cells.