Characterization of T cell receptor repertoire and anti-Ro/SSA autoantibodies in relation to sialadenitis of NOD mice.
Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice develop sialadenitis which morphologically resembles the exocrinopathy in human Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The sialadenitis is characterized by focal infiltrates of inflammatory cells. Immunoenzyme staining (ABC-technique) and monoclonal antibodies defining CD4, CD8, CD11b, TCR alpha/beta, gamma/delta, 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 examine the infiltrating mononuclear cells (MNC) in salivary glands of NOD mice. TCR alpha beta + cells dominated clearly over TCR gamma delta + cells in the salivary glands. A predominance of CD4+ T-cells was identified, while a small population of CD8+ cells was found in the salivary gland infiltrates. CD11b+ mononuclear cells were sporadically seen within the salivary gland lesions. All different TCR V beta:s which were analysed appeared to be utilized at the site of MNC infiltration in salivary glands; although with various frequencies. The frequency pattern of V beta gene expression in salivary glands was V beta 8.1,2 (15%) > V beta 6 (12%) > V beta 4 (11%) > V beta 10b (5%) > V beta 11 (5%) = V beta 2 (5%) > V beta 7 (3%). Analysis of the TCR V beta utilization in corresponding lymph nodes revealed a quite similar frequency pattern as found in the salivary glands. Serum samples were also tested for anti-Ro52, Ro60 and anti-La antibodies with Western blot. Autoantibody production was limited to anti-Ro/SSA and 3/37 (8%) of the mice were found to produce anti-Ro52 kD antibodies. The degree of sialadenitis (focus score) appeared not to influence reactivity to the Ro52 kD protein.
Skarstein
K
K
Broegelmann Research Laboratory for Microbiology, University of Bergen, Norway. Kathrine.Skarstein@gades.uib.no
Wahren
M
M
Zaura
E
E
Hattori
M
M
Jonsson
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000097585:SS-B Antigen; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000097585:SS-B Antigen; D000099207:SS-A Antigen; C116006:RO60 protein, human