Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion
Published on: August 25, 2018
Antigen expression of human eccrine sweat glands
Hai-Hong Li1, Gang Zhou, Xiao-Bing Fu
1Mental Health Center, ShanTou University Medical College, ShanTou, GuangDong Province, China.
Researchers identified key protein markers in human eccrine sweat glands, including cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, and epidermal growth factor. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) serves as a specific marker for adult sweat glands, aiding in repair and regeneration studies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Histology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Sweat gland regeneration research is crucial due to limited proliferation abilities.
- Identifying specific antigen markers is essential for studying sweat gland repair.
- This study focuses on characterizing antigen expression in human eccrine sweat glands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the antigen expression profile of human eccrine sweat glands.
- To identify potential specific markers for sweat gland identification and research.
Main Methods:
- Hematoxylin and eosin staining for histological analysis of sweat gland development.
- Immunohistochemical techniques to detect and localize specific antigen expression.
- Analysis of antigen distribution in developing, adult, and fetal skin samples.
Main Results:
- Human eccrine sweat glands express cytokeratins (CK7, CK8, CK14, CK18, CK19) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA).
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is specifically expressed in adult sweat glands.
- Markers such as Ki67, p63, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGF receptor (EGFR) are present in various sweat gland components.
Conclusions:
- Human eccrine sweat glands exhibit a distinct set of protein markers including CK7, CK8, CK14, CK18, CK19, CEA, EMA, Ki67, p63, EGF, and EGFR.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is identified as a specific immunological marker for human sweat glands in skin.
- These findings provide valuable markers for future research on sweat gland biology and regeneration.
Related Concept Videos
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sweat Glands
Sweat glands are classified as merocrine glands; that is, the secretions are excreted by exocytosis through a duct without affecting the cells of the gland. There...
Exocrine Glands: Methods of Secretion
Merocrine Secretion
Merocrine secretion is the most common type of exocrine secretion. The secretions are enclosed in vesicles and moved to the cell's apical surface, where the contents are released by exocytosis. For example, mucous, a watery secretion rich in the glycoprotein mucin, is a merocrine secretion. The eccrine glands...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
Antibody Structure
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...

