[An immunohistochemical study of normal sweat glands using an antibody to the breast cyst fluid protein (GCDFP-15)].

In this study, we applied the antibody against the molecular weight 15,000 protein purified from breast cyst fluid (GCDFP-15) to cutaneous tissue, especially to sweat glands. Breast cyst fluid was obtained by needle aspiration from patients with gross cystic disease. DEAE-cellulose column chromatography was performed and followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Antisera against the purified protein were prepared in rabbits. We stained specimens of normal skin by the PAP method. The normal apocrine gland cells were strong positive and eccrine gland dark cells were positive. Eccrine gland clear cells were weak positive or negative. Duct cells of both glands were negative. From these observations, we suggest that this antibody is useful for detecting seromucous cells of sweat glands, including both the apocrine gland cells and eccrine dark cells in the skin.