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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nonneoplastic disorders of the eccrine glands.

Eccrine glands are uniquely susceptible to a variety of pathologic processes. Alteration in the rate of sweat secretion manifests as hypohidrosis and hyperhidrosis. Obstruction of the eccrine duct leads to miliaria. The excretion of drugs into eccrine sweat may be a contributory factor in neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH), syringosquamous metaplasia (SSM), coma bulla, and erythema multiforme (EM). Alterations in the electrolyte composition of eccrine sweat can be observed in several systemic diseases, most notably cystic fibrosis. This article summarizes current knowledge of eccrine gland pathophysiology.

Adult↗

Carcinoembryonic antigen in fetal eccrine glands: an immunohistochemical study.

Developing fetal eccrine glands were examined for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using an unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique and rabbit antibody to human CEA. The earliest sign of commitment to the formation of an eccrine gland was the presence of CEA within a single keratinocyte in fetal epidermis. As the eccrine unit evolved, we found CEA in both acrosyringeal cells and the ductal cells. Although the function of CEA in eccrine gland remains undefined, this substance may play an integral role in the earliest development of the gland as well as in its normal function in the adult.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen↗

Cell surface glycoproteins define distinct states of eccrine gland differentiation.

The capability to distinguish eccrine gland cells of the ductal compartment from the secretory portion on the molecular level, as well as from epidermal keratinocytes and other skin cells, is of importance for the study of eccrine differentiation and function. Furthermore, the assessment of differences between the cell systems is useful for the characterization of benign and malignant neoplasms derived from eccrine glands. In the present study, we analysed the expression of four selected epithelial cell surface glycoproteins (gp 80, gp 38, gp 115 and gp 200) in eccrine glands using specific monoclonal antibodies. We found that the glycoproteins are differentially expressed in the ductal compartments and in the secretory portion of the glands, as well as in normal epidermis and other skin cells. This permitted the assignment of specific phenotypes to cells of the ductal compartment and to those of the secretory portion.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Denervation of eccrine glands in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type I.

OBJECTIVE: To study the alterations in the structure and innervation of eccrine glands in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) type I with Val 30 Met transthyretin mutation. BACKGROUND: Anhidrosis of the distal lower limbs is a prominent feature of FAP type I. METHODS: Qualitative and morphometric study of amyloid deposition, eccrine glands, and their innervation in nine patients with FAP type I (duration of sensory symptoms, 8.4 +/- 3.9 years [mean +/- SD]; range, 3 to 15 years) and seven control subjects. RESULTS: On light microscopy, the endoneurium of cutaneous nerve fascicles had no definite amyloid deposition. Amyloid deposition was observed around eccrine glands in seven of nine patients. On electron microscopy, no focal destruction and degeneration of eccrine glands or ducts and of Schwann cell processes with or without nerve terminals or unmyelinated axons were observed in relation to adjacent amyloid deposition. Secretory vacuoles and granules of dark cells were markedly decreased in some secretory coils. Nerve terminals and unmyelinated axons of eccrine glands were considerably fewer in patients than in control subjects, and denervation was prominent in all patients. A few nerve terminals and unmyelinated axons of eccrine glands were present in patients who had experienced sensory symptoms for 3, 5, and 6 years, but were absent in patients with sensory symptoms for more than 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Eccrine glands are markedly to totally denervated in patients with FAP type I and chronic sensory symptoms. The extent of denervation indicates the severity of autonomic denervation and therefore may suggest the timing of liver transplantation.

Adult↗

[Idiopathic acquired generalized anhidrosis with normal numbers of eccrine gland nerve terminals and unmyelinated axons. A case report].

A 37-year-old man with acquired generalized anhidrosis but without other autonomic or somatic abnormalities (idiopathic acquired generalized anhidrosis) is described with special reference to histologic and morphometric findings of the eccrine gland and its nerve terminals and unmyelinated axons. The patient was admitted to our hospital in August 1989 with complaints of heat intolerance and anhidrosis of the face, trunk, and both limbs. General physical and neurological examinations revealed no abnormalities except generalized anhidrosis. Sweating tests revealed anhidrosis of most surfaces of the body except the axillae, mammary areolae, forearms, hands, popliteal fossae, and plantar surfaces. Sympathetic skin responses were absent in the axillae, and were decreased on the palms. Iontophoretically applied pilocarpine revealed a complete absence of active eccrine glands on the dorsal surface of the right foot. No other abnormalities were revealed by autonomic function tests. Light and electron microscopic studies of the eccrine glands of the distal and lateral aspects of the left leg were performed in this patient and six control subjects. Infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells around the duct and secretory coil of a limited number of eccrine glands on multiple sections was found only in this patient. Electron microscopic morphometric evaluation of the eccrine glands, associated nerve terminals and unmyelinated axons of this patient revealed no definite alterations when compared with those of the six control subjects. Therefore, we concluded that the nerves innervating the eccrine glands were not affected in this patient and suspect that either the cholinergic receptors or the function of secretory cells of the eccrine glands were involved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Merkel cells in human fetal eccrine glands.

The presence of human Merkel cells in the eccrine ridges and eccrine germs was studied, using antibodies to simple epithelial keratins, in separated epidermal sheets with attached eccrine ducts. The localization of Merkel cells could be analysed three-dimensionally in the wet, whole-mount of the stained sheets. In the plantar skin of a 12-week-old human fetus, immunoreactive (ir-) Merkel cells were randomly located in the flattened epidermis. In the plantar skin of a 15-week-old human fetus, there was early development of eccrine germs, and Merkel cells were concentrated in eccrine gland ridges. In the plantar skin of a 20-week-old human fetus, eccrine germs were well formed and ir-Merkel cells were located within the developing eccrine ridges and ducts. In the plantar skin of adults, the eccrine concentration of Merkel cells was markedly reduced. Concentration of Merkel cells on the eccrine structures was also observed in the scalp skin of human fetuses. This tendency continued into adult life, although there was a marked reduction in the total number of Merkel cells. These findings suggest that epidermal Merkel cells move down into the eccrine ducts as eccrine germs extend into the mesenchyme. Alternatively, they may develop de novo from the keratinocytes of the eccrine duct. In view of the expression of nerve growth factor receptor in fetal Merkel cells, it is postulated that these eccrine gland Merkel cells play a role in the formation of the periglandular nerve plexus.

Adult↗

Histochemical analysis of glycoconjugates in the eccrine glands of the raccoon digital pads.

The distribution and selectivity of complex carbohydrates in the eccrine glands of the digital pads in the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor) were studied using light and electron microscopic histochemical methods, particularly lectin histochemistry. In the eccrine glands, the dark cells exhibited neutral and acidic glycoconjugates with different saccharide residues (alpha-L-fucose, beta-D-galactose, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid); the clear cells contained numerous glycogen particles and showed a distinct reaction of alpha-L-fucose. The presence of complex carbohydrates with various terminal sugars was evident in the excretory duct cells. In addition, beta-D-galactose and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid residues were mainly observed in the luminal secretion. The glycoconjugates produced by the eccrine glands of the raccoon digital pads may protect the epidermis against physical damage or microbial contamination. In this way, the normal functioning of the sensory apparatus of the foot pads is ensured.

Animals↗

Ultrastructural immunocytochemical studies of blood group substances in human eccrine glands.

We investigated the ultrastructure of blood group antigens A, B, and H in human eccrine glands by means of the immunogold labeling technique. Blood group antigens A, B, and H were found in the Golgi apparatus, secretory granules, and over the apical and basolateral cell membranes of dark cells of eccrine glands depending on the blood group phenotype of the donors. Both A and B antigens were found in the dark cells of AB donors. The labeling pattern of the Golgi stacks seemed to have a polarity whereby the anti-blood group A antibody labeled all the stacks, whereas anti-blood groups B and H bound to the trans side of the Golgi complex. These observations suggest that the blood group substances are secreted into the lumen after being processed through the Golgi apparatus and the immature and mature granules in the dark cells of human eccrine glands.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Structural changes in axillary eccrine glands following long-term treatment with aluminium chloride hexahydrate solution.

Axillary skin biopsies from fifteen patients with axillary hyperhidrosis who had received long-term treatment with aqueous aluminium chloride solution were examined histologically. The apocrine glands were normal, but the eccrine glands showed conspicuous morphological changes of varying severity. These included vacuolization of the secretory epithelium, dilatation of eccrine acini with atrophy of secretory cells, and accumulation of PAS-positive, diastase-resistant material in the dilated lumen of the secretory coils. The histological changes correlated in most patients with decreased secretion of sweat. We conclude that long-term blockage of the distal acrosyringium due to aluminium salts may lead to functional and structural degeneration of the eccrine acini.

Adult↗

Eccrine gland involvement in Krabbe's disease.

Lysosomal storage inclusions were observed in skin eccrine gland secretory and myoepithelial cells in three cases of Krabbe's disease. In addition to storage there were numerous degenerative changes, occasionally resulting in cell necrosis. These findings suggest a generalized nature of the storage process in this lysosomal enzymopathy and point to high galactocerebroside turnover in eccrine gland epithelium. This knowledge may be of value in the biopsy diagnosis of Krabbe's disease.

Child↗

Immunohistochemical analysis of cytokeratin expression in eccrine spiradenoma: similarities to the transitional portions between secretory segments and coiled ducts of eccrine glands.

Despite light and electron microscopic and histochemical studies, there is no consensus on the cellular differentiation of eccrine spiradenoma. In the present study, eight specimens of eccrine spiradenoma were analysed by immunohistochemical techniques, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins. Two types of epithelial cells were identified in tumour nodules: large, pale epithelial cells in the centre, and small, dark epithelial cells situated at the periphery. These nodules frequently contained tubular structures lined by cuboidal, columnar or, less commonly, flattened epithelial cells. Cytokeratin expression in eccrine spiradenoma was compared with expression in normal eccrine glands. Immunohistochemistry revealed that large, pale epithelial cells expressed immunophenotypes similar to those of luminal cells in the transitional portions between the secretory portions and the coiled ducts. The small, dark cells expressed immunophenotypes similar to those of basal cells in the transitional portions. Tubular structures observed in eccrine spiradenoma showed staining patterns similar to those of the luminal cells in the transitional portions. Eccrine spiradenoma may, therefore, differentiate towards the transitional portions between the secretory portions and coiled ducts of eccrine glands. Some of the large, pale epithelial cells in eccrine spiradenoma differentiate towards tubular structures, forming a lumen lined by a cuticle.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland↗

Ultracytochemical demonstration of glycoproteins in the eccrine glands of the digital pads of the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor).

In the eccrine glands of the digital pads of the North American raccoon (Procyon lotor), ultrastructural localization of glycoproteins with various saccharide residues was studied using preferably lectin cytochemical methods. Secretory granules observed in the dark cells exhibited glycoproteins with different terminal sugars (alpha-D-mannose, beta-D-galactose, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and sialic acid). The cytoplasm of the clear cells contained numerous glycogen particles. Several sugars were also detectable in the surface coat of the plasma membrane of the secretory cells. The results obtained could be helpful in understanding secretion production and cell related secretion functions of the eccrine glands of the raccoon digital foot pads.

Animals↗

Eccrine gland infiltration by mycosis fungoides.

After identifying prominent eccrine infiltration by atypical lymphocytes in a biopsy of tumor stage mycosis fungoides (MF), we sought to determine the pattern of eccrine epithelial infiltration in MF. The frequency, intensity, and distribution of infiltration of eccrine gland structures, including acrosyringium, duct and coil epithelium, was studied by examining 71 biopsy specimens from 42 patients with MF in which eccrine structures were present. These were obtained from a retrospective review of pathologic specimens from Duke University Medical Center from 1992 and 1993. At least focal eccrine infiltration was noted in 23 of the 71 biopsy specimens (32%). Immunohistochemical confirmation of T-lymphocyte phenotype was performed in the 23 cases with positive reaction to antibodies CD3 and CD45RO and negative reaction with CD20. Folliculosebaceous units were present in 22 of the 71 biopsy specimens and were at least focally involved by MF in 11 (50%) in this series. A control group of biopsy specimens of reactive dermatoses were characterized by more superficial location of lymphocytes, with more spongiosis and epithelial degenerative changes. These findings further illustrate the epitheliotropic behavior of MF.

Adult↗