Abstract
The majority of T cells constituting the focal lymphocytic infiltrates in the labial minor salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome bear the helper phenotype (CD4); activation is expressed by class II (HLA-DR) MHC products. In our immunohistologic study of snap frozen minor salivary gland biopsies from 16 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, it was shown that the majority (77%) of the infiltrating T cells exhibit the memory helper/inducer phenotype (UCHL-1) and express LFA-1 molecules. In addition most of the T cells express the alpha beta receptor while only 2.8% express the gamma delta receptor. Our findings suggest that these T cell infiltrates in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome may explain the intense B lymphocyte hyperreactivity observed in the exocrine glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
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HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry / methods
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / immunology
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Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / metabolism
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Middle Aged
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Salivary Glands, Minor / immunology*
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Salivary Glands, Minor / metabolism
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Salivary Glands, Minor / pathology
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Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology*
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Sjogren's Syndrome / metabolism
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Sjogren's Syndrome / pathology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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HLA-DR Antigens
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Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1