title: [Lymphocyte subsets in labial salivary gland of Sjogren's syndrome].
abstract: Using the immunohistochemical avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method, lymphocyte subsets in the salivary glands of 15 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome, 7 patients with secondary Sjogren's syndrome and 4 normal controls were identified by monoclonal antibodies. The infiltrating lymphocytes were mainly T lymphocytes, the majority of which were T helper cells (Leu-3a) in SS groups. The Leu-3a/Leu-2a ratio was increased. These changes were related to the degrees of the disease. The lymphocytes of patients expressed the HLA-DR antigen (Ia). Thus genetic predisposition plays an important role in the disease. A proposed mechanism is that the deficiency of suppressor lymphocytes and the overactivity of helper lymphocytes would result in B cells becoming hyperactive. Multiple autoantibodies produced by the B cells would contribute to tissue damage, and the tissue fragments would in turn further stimulate antibody production.
authors.affiliation: PUMC Hospital, Beijing.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens