Myoepithelial cells

Myoepithelial cells (sometimes referred to as Myoepithelium) are cells usually found in glandular epithelium as a thin layer above the basement membrane but generally beneath the lumenal cells. These may be positive for alpha smooth muscle actin and can contract and expel the secretions of exocrine glands. They are found in the sweat gland, mammary gland, lacrimal gland, and salivary gland. Myoepithelial cells in these cases constitute the basal cell layer of an epithelium that harbors the epithelial progenitor/stem cells. In the case of wound healing, myoepithelial cells reactively proliferate. Presence of myoepithelial cells in a hyperplastic tissue proves the benignity of the gland and, when absent, indicates cancer. Only rare cancers like adenoid cystic carcinomas contains myofibroblasts as one of the malignant components.

[edit] Markers

Myoepithelial cells are true epithelial cells positive for keratins, not to be confused with myofibroblasts which are true mesenchymal cells positive for vimentin. These cells are generally positive for alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), cytokeratin 5/6 and other high molecular weight cytokeratins, p63 amd caldesmon.