Cytokine mRNA expression in the labial salivary glands of healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the cytokine profile in minor salivary glands of healthy volunteers and examine differential cytokine production from acinar and ductal tissues.


METHODS
Acinar and ductal elements were isolated by a cell-specific micro-dissection technique from frozen 8 microns sections of minor salivary glands from healthy volunteers. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern hybridization using 32P-labeled cytokine gene-specific probes were utilized to detect cytokine mRNA. mRNA transcripts for the Th1 cytokines (IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma), Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10), TGF-beta, actin, and CD3 delta were analyzed in acini, ducts and total tissue sections of minor salivary glands of six healthy controls.


RESULTS
Actin, TGF beta and TNF alpha was present in 6/6 acinar, 6/6 ductal, and 6/6 total section samples. IFN gamma was present in 2/6 acinar, 3/6 ductal, and 6/6 total samples. IL-2 was found in 3/6 acinar, 3/6 ductal and 5/6 total sections. IL-6 was found in 1/6 acinar, 0/6 ductal, and 5/6 total sections. IL-10 was found in 3/6 acinar, 3/6 ductal, and 5/6 total sections. IL-4 was present in 0/6 acinar, 0/6 ductal and 1/6 total samples. CD3 delta was present in 6/6 acinar, 5/6 ductal and 6/6 total sections.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate abundant expression of cytokines in healthy minor salivary glands. The production of these cytokines in healthy tissues demonstrates a likely role of supporting normal cellular function.
CRC/NIDCR/NIH, Bldg 10, Room 1N113, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-1190, USA. mbrennan@dir.nidcr.nih.gov
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D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004210:Dissection; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008046:Lip / Q000378:metabolism*; D008866:Microsurgery; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000378:metabolism; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D000199:Actins; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D015342:DNA Probes; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma