Mast cells, extracellular matrix components, TGFbeta isoforms and TGFbeta receptor expression in labial salivary glands in systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there was altered elaboration of non-collagenous extracellular matrix proteins or expression of TGFbeta isoforms and their receptors in salivary glands of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Because of the possible role of mast cells in the early stages of SSc their presence was also investigated.


METHODS
Sections of normal labial salivary glands (n=10) and glands from patients with SSc (n = 13) and RP (n = 5) were stained immunohistochemically and using acid toluidine blue.


RESULTS
SSc glands contained more mast cells than control tissues (p<0.005) and similar numbers to those found in RP specimens. There were no differences in the pattern or amount of non-collagenous matrix proteins detected. Tenascin and elastin were predominantly found surrounding ducts whereas fibronectin had a more general distribution. TGFbeta isoforms and receptors were expressed by glandular epithelium, fibroblasts, vascular endothelium and inflammatory cells. Cell counts showed no differences in expression of TGFbeta1 or TGFbeta receptors between groups. However, the percentage of TGFbeta2 positive fibroblasts was significantly higher in SSc glands compared with controls (p<0.004). RP glands showed an intermediate level of expression. By contrast, a lower percentage of RP fibrolasts expressed TGFbeta3 compared with controls with SSc glands showing an intermediate level of expression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that (a) there are no changes in glandular expression of tenascin, elastin and fibronectin in SSc and RP and (b) both conditions are associated with an increased salivary gland mast cell population and changes in expression of TGFbeta2 and beta3 isoforms by glandular fibroblasts.
Mason
G I
GI
Unit of Oral Pathology, University of Birmingham, School of Dentistry, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN.
Hamburger
J
J
Matthews
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014746:Vimentin