Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
Published on: October 7, 2025
MUC-1 expression in pleomorphic adenomas using two human milk fat globule protein membrane antibodies (HMFG-1 and
Santa Ponce-Bravo1, Constantino Ledesma-Montes1, Maricela Garcés-Ortíz1
1Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F, México.
Unlabelled:
Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common salivary gland tumor and its microscopic features and histogenesis are a matter of debate. Human milk fat globule protein membrane (HMFG) monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) comprise a set of antibodies against the mucin 1 (MUC-1) protein detected in several salivary gland tumors.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the immunoexpression of the PA neoplastic cells to MUC-1 protein using HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 MoAbs, contrasting these results with those from normal salivary gland tissue.
Material And Methods:
Immunohistochemical detection of MUC-1 protein using HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 MoAbs was made in 5 mm thick, paraffin embedded slides, and the avidin-biotin method was used.
Results:
Positivity to HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 MoAbs was found in ductal, squamous metaplastic and neoplastic myoepithelial cells, keratin pearls and intraductal mucous material. Two kinds of myoepithelial cells were identified: classic myoepithelial cells around ducts were negative to both MoAbs, and modified myoepithelial cells were positive to both MoAbs. This last cellular group of the analyzed tumors showed similar MUC-1 immunoexpression to ductal epithelial cells using both HMFG antibodies. Intraductal mucous secretion was also HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 positive.
Conclusions:
Our results showed there are two kinds of myoepithelial cells in PA. The first cellular group is represented by the different kinds of neoplastic myoepithelial cells and is HMFG-positive. The second one is HMFG-negative and represented by the neoplastic myoepithelial cells located around the ducts.
Insights
This study identifies two distinct myoepithelial cell types in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) using MUC-1 protein expression. Modified neoplastic myoepithelial cells are HMFG-positive, while classic myoepithelial cells are HMFG-negative.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Tumor biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common salivary gland tumor, with debated microscopic features and histogenesis.
- Human milk fat globule protein membrane (HMFG) monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) target the MUC-1 protein, found in various salivary gland tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunoexpression of MUC-1 protein in PA neoplastic cells using HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 MoAbs.
- To compare MUC-1 expression in PA with normal salivary gland tissue.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical detection of MUC-1 protein using HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 MoAbs.
- Analysis of paraffin-embedded salivary gland tissue slides using the avidin-biotin method.
Main Results:
- HMFG-1 and HMFG-2 MoAbs showed positivity in ductal, squamous metaplastic, and neoplastic myoepithelial cells, keratin pearls, and intraductal mucus.
- Two myoepithelial cell types were identified: classic (HMFG-negative) and modified (HMFG-positive).
- Modified myoepithelial cells exhibited MUC-1 immunoexpression similar to ductal epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Pleomorphic adenoma contains two distinct populations of myoepithelial cells based on MUC-1 expression.
- Neoplastic myoepithelial cells are HMFG-positive, while classic myoepithelial cells surrounding ducts are HMFG-negative.

