Clustering of IgA-producing immunocytes related to HLA-DR-positive ducts in normal and inflamed salivary glands.
Ig-producing immunocytes and epithelial expression of secretory component (SC) and HLA-DR were evaluated by two-colour immunofluorescence staining in 10 normal and 20 inflamed salivary glands; the latter included specimens from 10 patients with obstructive sialadenitis and 10 with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Epithelium adjacent to T-cell infiltrates showed extensive co-expression of SC and HLA-DR, suggesting that leucocyte-derived cytokines were responsible for this concurrent up-regulation. Clusters (greater than 2 positive cells) of IgA-producing cells were spatially related to DR-positive ducts. The possibility is discussed that DR-expressing epithelium contributes to local terminal differentiation of IgA-producing plasma cells. A cytokine-mediated up-regulation of SC that simultaneously increases the transport capacity for polymeric IgA would constitute an efficient enhancement of secretory immunity in diseased glandular tissue.
Thrane
P S
PS
Laboratory for Immunohistochemistry and Immunopathology (LIIPAT), Medical Faculty, National Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Sollid
L M
LM
Haanes
H R
HR
Brandtzaeg
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A