Binding Characteristics, Immunocytochemical Location and Hormonal Regulation of Androgen Receptors in Lacrimal Tissue

• DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-2417-5_27
• Publication Date: 2011-08-05T00:24:21Z
• Authors: Flavio Jaime Rocha; Robin S. Kelleher; Joan A. Edwards; Janethe D. O. Pena; Masafumi Ono; David A. Sullivan
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Cell Nucleus; Male; 0303 health sciences; Lacrimal Apparatus; Estrogens; Epithelium; Rats; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; 03 medical and health sciences; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Androgen; Animals; Female; Testosterone

During the past five decades, researchers have found that distinct, gender-related differences exist in the morphology, histochemistry, biochemistry, immunology and molecular biology of the lacrimal gland in a variety of species, including mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and humans.1 These differences include striking variations in acinar cell characteristics (e.g. area, shape, membrane appearance, vesicle and nucleoli densities, nuclear size), lymphocyte populations, messenger RNA levels, enzyme and glycoprotein content, collagen amounts, adrenergic receptor expression, hormone responsiveness, and specific protein secretion.1 The underlying basis for this sexual dimorphism appears to be due almost entirely to the selective influence of androgens on the lacrimal gland.1 In contrast, sex steroids such as estrogens or progestins seem to have minimal, or no, direct effect on lacrimal tissue.1