Characterization of peripheral blood and salivary gland lymphocytes in Sjögren's syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease resulting from lymphocyte infiltration of lacrimal and salivary glands (SG). This study was designed to investigate the peripheral blood (PBL) and SG lymphocytes in 14 patients with primary SS and control subjects. With the use of monoclonal antibodies, cells were stained to identify T-cells and T-cell subsets (T-helper and T-suppressor) and cells positive for HLA-DR antigen, whereas B cells were determined by the Smlg (surface membrane immunoglobulin) method. Lymphocytes in SG biopsy specimens were characterized by means of monoclonal antibodies and the immunoperoxidase technique. In the peripheral blood lymphocytes, there was a significant reduction in T cells and suppressor T cells. T lymphocytes and mostly helper T cells were predominant around the ducts and within the lymphocytic infiltrates in the minor SG biopsy samples of patients with SS. Suppressor T cells and B cells were found in fewer numbers, HLA-DR(+) cell populations had increased, and IgG- and IgA-bearing plasma cells were also present within the infiltrates. These results may contribute to our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of primary SS.