The cellular basis of salivary immunity in the mouse: incidence and distribution of B cells, T cells and macrophages in single-cell suspensions of the major salivary glands.
A multiparametric analysis of the resident immune populations in the parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands was done in single-cell suspensions. The incidence of T and B cells and of macrophages was assessed using phenotypic markers in immunofluorescent staining and a functional assay was used to enumerate immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells. Characteristic frequencies and isotype distributions of cytoplasmic Ig+ B cells and surface Ig+ B lymphocytes were found in the three types of glands. Even though IgA was always found to be the predominant isotype in individual salivary secretions (90-93%) this was not directly correlated by an absolute predominance of IgA-secreting cells in the glands (45-65%). Significant percentages of T cells (Thy-1+ and Lyt-1+ cells: 3-4%) and macrophages (Mac 1+ and esterase-positive cells: 3-10%) were also recovered in our suspensions. It is therefore concluded that the murine salivary glands contain both effector and regulatory cells required for the development and expression of salivary immunity.
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002452:Cell Count; D002469:Cell Separation; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell