Up-regulated epithelial expression of HLA-DR and secretory component in salivary glands: reflection of mucosal immunostimulation in sudden infant death syndrome.
Human parotid glands from 55 forensic autopsy subjects, 1-12 mo of age, were examined by immunohistochemistry without knowledge about the cause of death. Various combinations of monoclonal or polyclonal antibody reagents of the following specificities were applied in two-color immunofluorescence analyses: HLA class I or II (DR, DP, or DQ); pan-T cell (CD3); leukocyte common antigen (CD45); and secretory component (poly-Ig receptor). Sudden infant death syndrome victims (n = 17) were shown to have significantly increased numbers of CD45+ stromal leukocytes and intensified epithelial expression of HLA-DR and secretory component as well as increased endothelial expression of both HLA class I and II (DR, DP, and DQ) determinants compared with controls (n = 31) who had died from noninfectious causes. Seven overtly infectious subjects (bronchopneumonia) showed still more up-regulated expression. This result suggested that enhanced stimulation of the local immune system exists in sudden infant death syndrome, with release of certain cytokines that are known to up-regulate epithelial expression of HLA-DR and secretory component.
Thrane
P S
PS
Laboratory for Immunohistochemistry and Immunopathology (LIIPAT), Medical Faculty, National Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Rognum
T O
TO
Brandtzaeg
P
P
D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000378:metabolism*; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000276:immunology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D012635:Secretory Component; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens