Expression of cytokeratins in Warthin's tumour (adenolymphoma) of parotid glands: specific detection of individual cytokeratin types by monoclonal antibodies.

This study evaluated the distribution of cytokeratins detected by monoclonal antibodies directed against individual keratin proteins in normal human salivary glands and epithelial tumour cells of Warthin's tumour arising in parotid glands to determine a more precise mapping of their cellular distribution. The normal salivary ducts showed the presence of cytokeratin 7, 8, 18 and 19 in the intercalated, striated and excretory ducts, the primary keratins of stratified and simple epithelia with a profile very similar to the non-cornified epithelium of the oral mucosa. The basally located cells of salivary gland ducts other than myoepithelial cells were reactive for keratins 7 and 19 suggesting a close similarity in profile of keratin in the basal cells of the oral epithelium. In Warthin's tumour, keratins 7, 8, 18 and 19 were consistently detected in the epithelial cells of the tumour, a profile with a tendency to mimic the same in normal ductal epithelium. The distribution, however, was diverse and a heterogeneity was observed in the basal and luminal cells of Warthin's tumour which differed even in different areas of the same tumour specimen.