The origin of the non-specialized epithelial cells cultured from human parotid gland

We investigated the origin of the non-specialized cells proliferated in primary explant culture of human parotid gland. The predominant cells in surface layer were morphologically epithelial origin with desmosomes and intercellular digitations. The cultured cells did not show any specific affinity to parotin isolated from bovine parotid gland, which seemed to be one of the marker for duct cell. However, it was demonstrated autoradiographically that DNA synthesis in the cells was rapidly induced by isoproterenol, a potent stimulator of acinar cell. From these results, the non-specialized epithelial cells in explant culture seemed to be derived from acinar cell in human parotid gland.