Intermediate filament, laminin and integrin expression in lacrimal gland acinar cells: Comparison of an immortalized cell line to primary cells, and their response to retinoic acid

Abstract

Expression of cytokeratins, laminin and integrins by primary and immortalized cells was similar, suggesting that the immortalized cell line is a good model for the study of lacrimal structure and function. Since retinoic acid up-regulated only integrin alpha(V), but not cytokeratins, these cells appear to be highly differentiated. Flow cytometry is a useful method for analysis of protein expression by lacrimal acinar cells.