Expression of glycoconjugates in normal and Sjögren's syndrome labial glands.
Glyconjugate expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded Sjögren's syndrome labial glands (nine cases) was compared with that in normal glands (12 samples) using a wide panel of lectins. Mucous cells expressed mainly mucous-type glycoproteins including sialyl, fucosyl, galactosyl and galactosaminosyl residues, and some N-linked glycoconjugates. Demilunar cells expressed mainly alpha D-mannose, GlcNAc and Gal beta 1.3-GalNAc. Duct cells and cellular glycocalyx expressed O-linked and N-linked residues. Sjögren's syndrome samples showed a statistically significant increase in the expression of GlcNAc. A significantly decreased expression of Gal beta 1,3-GalNAc and alpha D-mannose, residues not usually present in mucous cells, was found (p < 0.05). This suggests that anatomic rather than functional alterations determine mucous cell impairment and the symptoms in Sjögren's syndrome.
Sidagis
J
J
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan.
Ueno
K
K
Wang
Z H
ZH
Hanamure
Y
Y
Furuta
S
S
Ohyama
M
M
D005260:Female; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D006001:Glycoconjugates; D037102:Lectins