Oligoclonality of T cells in salivary glands of autoimmune MRL/lpr mice.
The aim of this study was to obtain further information about exocrine glandular immunopathology and the potential of the MRL/lpr strain as a model of Sjögren's syndrome. Immunoenzyme staining (ABC technique) and monoclonal antibodies defining CD3 T-cell receptor (TcR) alpha beta, gamma delta and TcR V beta 2, V beta 4, V beta 6, V beta 7, V beta 8.1,2, V beta 10b and V beta 11 were used to identify the mononuclear cells (MNC) in salivary gland infiltrates and lymph nodes of 2- and 4-5-month-old female MRL/lpr mice. TcR alpha beta + cells dominated clearly over TcR gamma delta + cells in both salivary glands and lymph nodes. In addition, to be expressed on lymphocyte-like cells, TcR gamma delta + cells also had a dendritic appearance. The frequency pattern of TcR expression in early inflammation (2 months) was V beta 8.1, 2 > V beta 6 > V beta 4 > V beta 10b > V beta 2 > V beta 7 > V beta 11. Clear differences in frequencies could be found between salivary glands and lymph nodes in established sialadenitis (4-5 months). Particularly V beta 4, V beta 8.1,2 and V beta 10b showed expansion in salivary glands at > or = 4 months. In conclusion, this study shows a diverse repertoire of TcR at local sites of MNC infiltration in autoimmune MRL/lpr mice. However, with increasing age it also shows a preferential utilization of certain V beta gene products.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Gade Institute, University of Bergen, Norway.
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K
Skarstein
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Holmdahl
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Johannessen
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R
Jonsson
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009333:Neck; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta