Variation of MHC class I and II antigen expression in relation to lymphocytic infiltrates and interferon-gamma positive cells.

The occurrence of MHC antigens on epithelial cells in lip salivary glands obtained from patients with various connective tissue diseases and from bone marrow recipients was studied. The amount of infiltrating lymphocytes correlated to an increase in MHC class I and II antigen expression, but not to diagnosis or glandular function. Interferon-gamma + infiltrating cells were scanty. The role of interferon-gamma as the main inducer of MHC antigens and the notion "aberrant" HLA-DR thought to perpetuate chronic autoimmune disease are questioned.