Immunohistochemistry of minor salivary gland biopsy specimens from patients with Sjogren's syndrome with and without hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

Conclusions-HCV infected patients may develop an autoimmune sialadenitis, similar to that described in primary SS.

Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor in Sjo¨gren’s Syndrome: Relation to Main Serum Immunological and Immunohistochemical Parameters

“…In our study the evidence of epithelial CD25 expression confirms the previous unusual results of other authors [18,28], but the meaning of this finding remains uncertain, despite its relationship with lymphocyte CD25 and epithelial HLA-DR expression. Also, in our study the correlation between CD25 and HLA-DR expression on lymphocytes and epithelial cells agrees with previous reports showing the coexpression of these activation markers on LSG in SS [18,27]. This could be explained by the fact that IL-2R is necessary for the biologic effects of IL-2 [29], which induces the release of several lymphokines, including g-interferon [30], which in turn promotes HLA-DR synthesis [11,31].…”

“…Nevertheless it must be emphasised that CD25, as well as HLA-DR, expression on LSG lymphocyte infiltrates is not specific for SS, but it also found in other autoimmune sialoadenitis [18,27], whereas epithelial CD25 expression seems to be specific for SS [18,28]. In our study the evidence of epithelial CD25 expression confirms the previous unusual results of other authors [18,28], but the meaning of this finding remains uncertain, despite its relationship with lymphocyte CD25 and epithelial HLA-DR expression.…”

T Lymphocytes in Sjögren’s Syndrome: Contributors to and Regulators of Pathophysiology

“…The nature of the antigen(s) that drives the expansion and differentiation of effector T cells in pSS remains to be fully characterized, but is represented, at least in part, by autoantigens. Both CD4+ T helper (Th) cells and CD8+ (cytotoxic or killer) T cells have been identified in salivary gland lesions [39]. CD4+ T lymphocytes expressing perforin and with cytotoxic activity are also detected (up to 20% of total T cells) [5].…”

Neurological complications of primary Sjögren's syndrome

“…Sjögren's syndrome was primary since it was not associated with another connective tissue disease (mainly systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma) as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria [7,38,43]. As hepatitis C infection may be associated with pathological changes in minor salivary gland biopsy resembling those observed in SS [12], patients with hepatitis C infection were excluded from the study. Patients with cryoglobulinaemia were also excluded because cryoglobulinaemia may be present in up to 20 % of PSS [37,44] and may contribute to the development of a peripheral neuropathy [21].…”