Possible function of salivary gland epithelial cells as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells in the development of Sjögren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential of salivary gland epithelial cells to act as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the development of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).


METHODS
Expression of HLA-DR antigens, costimulatory molecules, and adhesion molecules on epithelial cells was immunohistochemically examined in labial salivary glands from patients with SS. An association with the expression of T cell derived cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) was observed. The expression of these molecules was confirmed using cultured salivary gland epithelial cells. The ability of the salivary gland epithelial cells as nonprofessional APC was examined in a mixed culture system using the salivary gland epithelial cells and allogeneic lymphocytes.


RESULTS
Expression of HLA-DR antigens, CD80, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), and E-selectin was immunohistochemically detected on duct cells from all patients; however, the expression of CD86 was limited to only some patients. Concomitant expression of CD80 on duct cells and Th1 cytokine mRNA, and CD86 on duct cells and Th2 cytokine mRNA, was observed. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced the cultured salivary gland epithelial cells to express HLA class I antigens, HLA-DR antigens, CD80, and ICAM-1, while tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induced the expression of HLA class I antigens, CD80, CD86, and VCAM. Cultured salivary gland epithelial cells treated with either IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha also caused allogeneic lymphocytes to proliferate.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability of salivary gland epithelial cells to express HLA-DR antigens, costimulatory molecules, and adhesion molecules and thus to act as nonprofessional APC was suggested. CD80 and CD86 expression of these cells was also suggested to be involved in the activation of Th1 and Th2, respectively.
Tsunawaki
Shizuka
S
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Nakamura
Seiji
S
Ohyama
Yukiko
Y
Sasaki
Masanori
M
Ikebe-Hiroki
Akiko
A
Hiraki
Akimitsu
A
Kadena
Tsutomu
T
Kawamura
Eui
E
Kumamaru
Wataru
W
Shinohara
Masanori
M
Shirasuna
Kanemitsu
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology*; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D001483:Base Sequence; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1