[Expression of forkhead box protein P3 in peripheral blood and salivary gland of patients with Sjogren's syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3) in the peripheral blood and salivary gland of patients with Sjogren's Syndrome (SS).


METHODS
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine Foxp3mRNA expression in the CD(4)(+) T cells and the salivary glands from 6 primary SS patients and 6 normal controls. Serial sections of biopsied salivary gland (SG) were examined with immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal mouse anti-human CD(4) and Foxp3 in 6 healthy controls and 31 primary SS patients.


RESULTS
Significant difference in the number of infiltrating CD(4)(+) T cells was noted in the salivary glands of the patients and controls, but Foxp3(+)CD(4)(+) T cells were almost absent in those biopsy samples. Foxp3mRNA expression in the blood of SS patients was significantly lower than that in normal controls (0.21 +/- 0.17 vs 1.32 +/- 0.38, P < 0.0184). Foxp3mRNA expression was not detectable in the tissue of the salivary glands (n = 6).


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of Foxp3(+)CD(4)(+) T cells in salivary glands with reduction of Foxp3mRNA expression in peripheral blood suggests an important role of Foxp3 in the pathogenesis of SS.
Li
Xiao-mei
XM
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, University Affiliated Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230001, China. lixiaomei1@medmail.com.cn
Li
Xiang-pei
XP
Qian
Long
L
Wang
Guo-sheng
GS
Zhang
Hong
H
Wang
Xiao-qiu
XQ
Chen
Ke
K
Wang
Yi-ping
YP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger