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Neuroendocrine cell-axonal complexes in the minor vestibular gland
T F Warner1, S Tomic, C K Chang
1Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison 53792, USA.
Objective:
To study neuroendocrine cells and nerves in vestibular glands of patients with vestibulitis.
Study Design:
Substance P chromogranin, serotonin and neuron-specific enolase immunoreactivity was studied in vestibular gland tissue. Electron microscopic analysis was performed on vestibular duct tissue.
Results:
Neuroendocrine cells containing immunoreactive serotonin and chromogranin were demonstrated in a vestibular gland duct of a patient with vestibulitis. Substance P immunoreactive axons were found in submucosal nerves, and rare, positively staining axons were seen in the duct epithelium. In another patient neuroendocrine cells with closely applied intraepithelial axons were demonstrated by electron microscopy in the duct of a vestibular gland.
Conclusion:
Intraepithelial axons are present in ducts of vestibular glands, where they are closely applied to serotonin-containing neuroendocrine cells. This close association and the presence of substance P immunoreactivity in local nerves may play a role in the symptomatology of vestibulitis.