Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Isolation of Myoepithelial Cells from Adult Murine Lacrimal and Submandibular Glands
Published on: June 11, 2019
Motilin Receptor Expression Found in the Human Main and Accessory Lacrimal Glands
Richard R Sadig1, Alexandra Allende2, Geoffrey Hall2
1Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Introduction:
In this study, we investigated the presence of motilin receptors (MR) in adnexal tissue including the human main lacrimal gland.
Method:
17 adnexal human specimens comprising of 11 isolated human main lacrimal gland specimens, four full-thickness human eyelid excisions and two exenterations containing full-thickness eyelid and portions of the main lacrimal gland were immunolabelled with a rabbit polyclonal human MR antibody.
Results:
Our results demonstrated that all main lacrimal gland specimens (13/13, 100%) were positive for MR expression with a predominance (10/13 (77%) of grade 1+ punctate distribution. Motilin receptors were not found in eccrine glands, cutaneous sebaceous glands, glands of Zeis or glands of Moll (0/6, 0%). We also confirmed MR expression in the accessory lacrimal gland tissue.
Conclusion:
In summary, we discovered the MR receptor in the lacrimal and accessory lacrimal gland - the significance of which, in the lacrimal gland, remains unclear - but motilin may play a role in the muscarinic control of aqueous tear secretion.
