Selective expression of V beta families by T cells in the blood and salivary gland infiltrate of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The T cell infiltration of the salivary gland of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) has been implicated in the pathogenic process of the disease. We examined the representation of V beta subsets in the blood and salivary tissue of patients with SS.

METHODS

Circulating T cells from 12 patients and paired samples of blood and labial salivary glands obtained from 8 patients were studied. A panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against the variable region of the T cell receptor was used to enumerate the cells expressing V beta families in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry, and in tissue sections by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

We found an increase of cells bearing V beta 2 family gene products in the circulation, and an increase in both V beta 2 and V beta 8 in the salivary gland infiltrate of patients with SS. No significant difference was noted between the 5 DR3+ patients and 7 DR3- patients studied with regard to the V beta families seen.

CONCLUSION

Our data are consistent with a role for specific T cell families in the pathogenesis of SS.