Salivary Immunoglobulins in Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

Using a new electro-immunodiffusion assay, serum and salivary immunoglobulin levels were measured in patients with SjÖgren’s syndrome (SS) and in normal control subjects. Salivary IgG levels were generally higher in the patients (mean 17.3 mg%, SEM 1.7) compared to normals (mean 12.1 mg%, SEM 1.3), the higher values usually correlating with elevated serum IgG levels. Salivary IgA levels were similar in both groups – a mean of 10.3 mg%, SEM 2.5 in normals and 8.9 mg%, SEM 2.0 in the patients. In the latter group much of the salivary IgA was secretory IgA; absolute levels of secretory IgA ranged from 2.5 to 6.4 mg% (mean 4.4). No measurable levels of IgM were detected in the salivas of patients or normal subjects, although IgM was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in labial gland biopsies from two patients. Four patients had serum anti-salivary duct antibodies, but none had this autoantibody in their saliva. Thus, patients with SS retain competence of the salivary immune system even in the advanced stages of their disease.

Lacrimal immunoglobulins and complement quantified by counter-immunoelectrophoresis.

“…Antiserum to human colostral IgA was prepared as previously described (Bluestone, Gumpel, Goldberg, and Holborow, 1972 This sensitivity compares favourably with previous use of the assay system applied to human saliva and mouse serum and urine (Bluestone and others, 1972;Bluestone, Goldberg, Kalmanson, and Guze, 1973).…”

Lactoferrin in Sjögren's Syndrome

“…The present results clearly show that high salivary LF is not simply the result of the smaller volume of saliva secreted in SS. The observed difference is not due to cross-reactions either, because IgG and albumin did not interfere with our L F assay and the interference due to IgA is low and insignificant since salivary IgA in patients with SS and normal subjects does not differ (15). In addition, the low interference of the commercial IgA is probably due to L F known to be present as impurity in the product.…”

Saliva In Research And Clinical Diagnosis

“…albumin, IgG and IgM (3,4). The level of sIgA and Iysozymes in saliva may be increased, as a consequence of the activation of the defence mechanism in the salivary gland.…”