Class II MHC antigen expression on epithelial cells of salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
Class II MHC molecules are two-chain glycoproteins normally expressed only on the membrane of cells involved in the immune response. These molecules are restriction elements for helper T cells. Using indirect immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of biopsied salivary glands we have demonstrated epithelial expression of class II antigens in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. The HLA DR+ epithelial cells were seen in close proximity to lymphocyte infiltrates. The finding that class II molecules are also expressed in salivary glands without focal lymphocytic infiltrates suggests a "modulation" as opposed to "induction" of HLA DR antigens on epithelial cells in Sjögren's syndrome, the distinction being related to the enhancement of low levels of expressions vs. de novo synthesis.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000276:immunology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens